A Guide to the Amphibians
and Reptiles of California

Banded California Snakes

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Shovel-nosed Snakes Harmless, nocturnal snakes of open sandy deserts and rocky washes. Found mostly at night, often on desert roads.

Variable Ground Snake Harmless, nocturnal snakes of open sandy deserts and rocky washes. Found mostly at night, often on desert roads.

Variable Sandsnake Small nocturnal desert snake from sandy areas. Unconfirmed, reported only from extreme southeast Imperial County

California Kingsnake Very common, large snake, found night and day in many types of habitat. Black or brown, and white or cream to yellowish bands.


California Mountain Kingsnake Harmless snake found mainly near rocks and water in mountains and coastal chaparral.