California snakes: ID chart

47 snakes, 8 venomous (listed first). Last checked November 3, 2026.

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The 8 venomous snakes come first: Mohave Rattlesnake, Panamint Rattlesnake, Red Diamond Rattlesnake, Sidewinder, Speckled Rattlesnake, Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Western Rattlesnake, Yellow-bellied Seasnake. The rest follow from A to Z, each with a photo where we have one and a short note on where it lives in California. The chart prints on letter or A4 paper; on screen, open any name on the California snakes page for photos, range and sources.

Mohave Rattlesnake

Crotalus scutulatus

Venomous

Are found in the desert and foothills of southeastern California.

Panamint Rattlesnake

Crotalus stephensi

Venomous

Are found in inland desert areas with more northerly distribution across Southern California.

Red Diamond Rattlesnake

Crotalus ruber

Venomous

Are found in Baja California and in southwestern California south of Los Angeles.

Sidewinder

Crotalus cerastes

Venomous

It is commonly found in desert areas from below sea level up to 6,000 feet.

Speckled Rattlesnake

Crotalus mitchellii

Venomous

Are found in desert areas from Baja California and much of the Colorado, Mojave, and Sonoran Deserts.

Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake

Crotalus atrox

Venomous

Are rare in California but can occur in desert areas in the far southeastern part of the state.

Western Rattlesnake

Crotalus oreganus

Venomous

Western rattlesnakes (PDF) (C. oreganus) are the most widespread rattler in California …

No confirmed photo of Yellow-bellied Seasnake

Yellow-bellied Seasnake

Pelamis platura

Venomous

Aquatic Gartersnake

Thamnophis atratus

Not stated

Baja California Coachwhip

Coluber fuliginosus

Not stated

No confirmed photo of Baja California Ratsnake

Baja California Ratsnake

Bogertophis rosaliae

Not stated

Brahminy Blindsnake

Ramphotyphlops braminus

Not stated

California Kingsnake

Lampropeltis californiae

Non-venomous

California Lyresnake

Trimorphodon lyrophanes

Not stated

California Mountain Kingsnake

Lampropeltis zonata

Non-venomous

Checkered Gartersnake

Thamnophis marcianus

Not stated

Coachwhip

Coluber flagellum

Non-venomous

Coast Nightsnake

Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha

Not stated

Common Gartersnake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Not stated

Common Sharp-tailed Snake

Contia tenuis

Not stated

Common Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Non-venomous

In California, northern watersnakes have been established and reproducing in Kaseberg Creek in the City of …

Desert Nightsnake

Hypsiglena chlorophaea

Not stated

Forest Sharp-tailed Snake

Contia longicauda

Not stated

Giant Gartersnake

Thamnophis gigas

Not stated

Glossy Snake

Arizona elegans

Not stated

Gophersnake

Pituophis catenifer

Non-venomous

Long-nosed Snake

Rhinocheilus lecontei

Not stated

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Non-venomous

Northern Rubber Boa

Charina bottae

Not stated

Northern Three-lined Boa

Lithanura orcutti

Not stated

Northwestern Gartersnake

Thamnophis ordinoides

Not stated

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Not stated

Sierra Gartersnake

Thamnophis couchii

Not stated

No confirmed photo of Smith’s Black-headed Snake

Smith’s Black-headed Snake

Tantilla hobartsmithi

Not stated

Sonoran Lyresnake

Trimorphodon lambda

Not stated

Southern Rubber Boa

Charina umbratica

Not stated

No confirmed photo of Southern Watersnake

Southern Watersnake

Nerodia fasciata

Non-venomous

In California, southern watersnakes are found in Sacramento, Yolo, and Los Angeles counties.

Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake

Phyllorhynchus decurtatus

Not stated

Striped Racer

Coluber lateralis

Non-venomous

Striped Whipsnake

Coluber taeniatus

Not stated

Terrestrial Gartersnake

Thamnophis elegans

Not stated

Two-striped Gartersnake

Thamnophis hammondii

Non-venomous

No confirmed photo of Western Black-headed Snake

Western Black-headed Snake

Tantilla planiceps

Non-venomous

Western Groundsnake

Sonora semiannulata

Not stated

Western Patch-nosed Snake

Salvadora hexalepis

Non-venomous

Western Shovel-nosed Snake

Chionactis occipitalis

Not stated

Western Threadsnake

Rena humilis

Non-venomous

A picture cannot confirm what an animal is or that it is safe. Never handle a wild animal. Sources: Complete List of Amphibian, Reptile, Bird and Mammal Species in California (CWHR Program); Snakes - Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (US National Park Service); Rattlesnakes - Yosemite National Park (US National Park Service); Rattlesnake (California Department of Fish and Wildlife); California's Invaders: Southern Watersnake (California Department of Fish and Wildlife); California's Invaders: Northern Watersnake (California Department of Fish and Wildlife); and others listed on the web page. stateswildlife.com/california/snakes/