California
Reptiles & Amphibians

Some Commonly Encountered CA Snakes

Click on a picture for a larger view

Check the following pictures first if you are trying to identify a snake you have found in California.

I have received many emails asking me to identify the following snakes, so these are either the snakes most commonly encountered in California, or at least those that are difficult to identify for the novice.

Always keep in mind that most snakes vary in appearance, and can look much different in motion than they do in still photos (where they are usually coiled up to fit in the picture.) If you do not find your snake here, then try going back to the Snake Identification page.


Gophersnake	This snake is common throughout California, and is active during the day.

Red Coachwhip	This snake is common in the South, less common in the San Joaquin Valley and foothills, and is active during the day.

California Kingsnake	This snake is common throughout most of California. It is active day and night.

Western Yellow-bellied Racer	This snake is common throughout most of California excluding the deserts, and is active during the day.

California Striped Racer	This snake is common along most of the coast and in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Ofen mistaken for a gartersnake, this slender, fast snake is active during the day.

Sharp-tailed Snake	This secretive snake is common along most of the north and central coast and in the Sierra Nevada foothills. It is often found in backyards under debris, and rarely seen active day or night.