California Reptiles & Amphibians

Striped Snakes in California

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Gartersnakes

Most likely found during daylight in grassy areas near water, or in ponds and creeks

	© Dick Bartlett
Striped Racers (Whipsnake)	Patchnosed snakes

Fast-moving snakes found moving on the ground during daylight, usually in deserts or chaparral.

Rosy Boas

Slow-moving thick-bodied snake of the south coast and southern deserts.

Striped California Kingsnake

Found mainly in coastal San Diego County, but aberrant snakes from other areas may also have stripes.

Striped Gophersnake

Found in the central valley, especially in the area near Davis and Fairfield.

Juvenile Sharp-tailed snake

Very tiny snakes found underneath objects in moist areas, especially during sunny days following rain in the winter and spring.

Seasnake

Very rarely viewed in the ocean off of the San Diego County coast.

Legless lizard
(This is actually a lizard that looks like a snake, since it has no legs.)

Found in loamy and sandy areas, including coastal dunes, sandy washes, leaf litter, southern California gardens.

Variable Groundsnake

Small, nocturnal, desert snake.