CALIFORNIA SNAKES

California snakes come in all shapes and sizes, and consist of over 30 individual species! If you are a snake lover, you don’t want to miss this article that will help you identify many California snakes.

 The tricky part about identifying California snakes is that many species not only look alike, but each type of snake can also appear different in motion than standing still. And when California snakes move, the patterns used to identify them get blurred, making them even harder to tell apart.

 However, there are many clues you can look for to help you determine the type of California snake you encounter. First, California snakes are only found in certain geographical regions of the state, and in certain habitats (i.e. forests, deserts, grasslands, mountains, fields, coastal and suburban areas), so you can use a California Snake Map to help you out.

Your best bet for identifying California snakes, however, is paying attention to their colors and patterns, as well as their shape and size.  California snakes come in a plethora of beautiful colors; in fact, one species alone has more than 70 combinations of patterns and colors, also known as morphs. Patterns include stripes, spots, speckles, blotches and bands. On the other hand, some California snakes are patternless and plain! The exact design depends on the species, subspecies, individual snake and location.

The shape of a California snake’s body and head is also informative. The body can be slim or thick and heavy; the neck can be short, or it can set the head off from the body; there may be large or small scales on the body, and these in turn could be shiny or dull.

While California snakes are common in the wild, they are now increasingly found in captivity as well. In fact, some California snakes have not only been bred by humans into new variations not seen in the wild, but some are also hybridized with other types of snakes to produce new combinations of colors and patterns.

Some of the more famous California snakes include the Western Yellow-bellied Racer, Sharp-tailed snakes, and the Western Diamondback. Kingsnakes, which are a favorite pet, are considered one of the most beautiful snakes in the world

 If you are trying to identify a California snake in the wild, please do so from a distance! While most California snakes are harmless, they can still bite, and California rattlesnakes are venomous.

 For more help in identifying California snakes, there are many guidebooks complete with pictures and taxonomies to help you on your journey. Keep your eyes open, be cautious, and enjoy the view!