Utah has 5 venomous snakes named by official sources: Western rattlesnake, Prairie rattlesnake, Mojave rattlesnake, Sidewinder and Southwestern speckled rattlesnake, as labelled by DWR. This guide covers 9 animal groups from Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), Utah Department of Natural Resources lists and other official sources, with photos, venomous status and when each group is active.
Identification help has limits: a photo cannot confirm that an animal is safe. Watch from a distance and never handle a wild animal.
These are the animals official sources describe as venomous or as a risk to people in Utah, across 7 groups. The reason is given in the source's own terms.
CDC/NIOSH: “People who are allergic to venom may experience anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate emergency care.”
Wild Aware Utah advises fighting back if attacked and not leaving children outside unattended at dawn and dusk: “Fight back if you are attacked! Protect your head and neck.”
Darker cells are the months with more open-licence observation records of each group in Utah (GBIF). They show when people see and record these animals, not how many there are. The current month, this month, is highlighted.
Report: Report a rattlesnake repeatedly seen in a problem area, or in a public park, yard or play area, to the nearest DWR office; report aggressive wildlife to the nearest DWR office (after hours: local police or county sheriff). Report Gila monster sightings to DWR (435-879-8694). Report non-native reptiles/amphibians via iNaturalist (optional, per DWR). DWR
DWR: five rattlesnake species live in Utah; the most common is the Great Basin rattlesnake, a subspecies of the western rattlesnake. USU Extension (1998) counted seven venomous snakes by including subspecies. DWR
Are there rattlesnakes in Utah?
Yes. Western, prairie, Mojave and southwestern speckled rattlesnakes and the sidewinder (DWR). Rocky benches, high-elevation slopes and dry canyons are the most common places to meet one. DWR
Yes. The Gila monster is Utah's state reptile, native to southwestern Utah, and venomous. It is prohibited from collection. DWR · More
Are there black widows in Utah?
Yes. USU Extension: the western black widow is the primary spider of health concern in Utah. Utah State University Extension
Are there brown recluse spiders in Utah?
No. USU Extension says brown recluse spiders do not occur in Utah; cellar spiders and crevice-weaving spiders are often mistaken for them. Utah State University Extension
Are hobo spiders dangerous?
No. USU Extension: recent evidence suggests hobo spiders do not have a necrotic bite. Wild Aware Utah calls them not aggressive or harmful to humans. Utah State University Extension
Are there scorpions in Utah?
Yes. USU Extension recognizes 9 scorpion species in Utah, mostly in the south. Only the Arizona bark scorpion (Kane County) is potentially harmful to humans. Utah State University Extension
Are there bears in Utah?
Yes, black bears only. Black bears are the only bear species in Utah and live across much of the state. DWR
Are there mountain lions in Utah?
Yes. Cougars live throughout Utah, usually in foothills and canyons, sometimes in valleys in winter. Wild Aware Utah
Are there moose in Utah?
Yes. Moose live in the mountains of northern and northeastern Utah, including urban areas along the Wasatch Front. Wild Aware Utah
How many bat species are in Utah?
DWR: 18 confirmed bat species, with the greatest diversity in southern Utah. DWR
Is a gopher snake a rattlesnake?
No. DWR: gopher snakes are often mistaken for rattlesnakes but have a slender, pointed tail without a rattle. DWR
Is it legal to kill a rattlesnake in Utah?
No. DWR: rattlesnakes are protected under Utah law; harassing or killing one is illegal. DWR
Are there quagga mussels in Utah?
Yes. DWR: quagga and zebra mussels in Utah are currently limited to Lake Powell. DWR
Are there africanized (killer) bees in Utah?
Yes. USU Extension: Africanized honey bees were first detected in Utah in August 2008 and confirmed in Iron, Kane, San Juan and Washington counties (2010 fact sheet). Utah State University Extension
“Rattlesnakes use their venom to subdue prey so they can eat it, and a snake will only bite defensively if it feels threatened.”
“If you do repeatedly see a rattlesnake in a problematic area or if you encounter a rattlesnake in a public park, yard or play area, you can contact the nearest DWR office to report it.”
“There are five rattlesnake species in Utah, and the most common is the Great Basin rattlesnake, which is a subspecies of the Western rattlesnake.”
“Rocky benches, high-elevation slopes and dry canyons are the most common places in Utah to encounter rattlesnakes, often while people are out hiking, rock climbing or biking.”
“A gopher snake's tail is slender, pointed and lacks a rattle.”
“Rattlesnakes are protected under Utah law, making it illegal to harass or kill one.”
“Rattlesnake bites are a serious medical emergency and require getting medical attention at a hospital as soon as possible.”
“Remain calm and stay at least 10 feet from the snake.”
“If you cannot identify a snake you encounter, the best course of action is to move away and treat the snake as if it were venomous.”
“Rattlesnakes are most active during the late spring and early summer months.”
“The only species in Utah that is potentially harmful to humans is Centruroides exilicauda, or the Arizona bark scorpion (Fig. 3). Children and older adults are more likely to express symptoms if stung.”
“Gila monsters are one of two venomous lizard species in North America.”
“Gila monsters are primarily located in west-central Arizona, but are also native to southwestern Utah, Nevada, New Mexico and parts of California.”
“If you do get lucky enough to see a Gila monster in the wild, do not attempt to grab or touch one.”
“People are most likely to see them during the day in April and May, but they may also be seen through June, July and August, especially on warm summer nights.”
“West Nile virus (WNV) is carried by mosquitoes and can cause disease in humans, birds, horses, and some other mammals.”
Plague | Communicable Diseases. Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“It is spread by rodent flea bites and infected animals to humans and can develop into serious infection and death.”
Insects and Scorpions at Work. CDC / NIOSH. archived copy, captured October 4, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“People who are allergic to venom may experience anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate emergency care.”
“A bear may become aggressive toward animals or people it perceives as threatening the area where it found the food.”
“Black bears are the only species of bear in Utah, and they live and roam across much of the state.”
Be aware: Cougars. Wild Aware Utah (partnership: Utah DWR, Utah's Hogle Zoo, USU Berryman Institute). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (2)
“Fight back if you are attacked! Protect your head and neck.”
“Cougars can be found throughout Utah, usually in the foothill and canyon areas, but also sometimes down in the valleys — especially during the winter months when they follow deer searching for food to lower elevations.”
Be aware: Moose. Wild Aware Utah (partnership: Utah DWR, Utah's Hogle Zoo, USU Berryman Institute). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (3)
“Due to their large size, moose can be dangerous when they feel threatened.”
“Utah is home to between 2,500 and 3,000 moose.”
“Cows with calves can be aggressive in the spring.”
“While the presence of quagga and zebra mussels in Utah is currently limited to Lake Powell, these invasive species threaten all of Utah's waterbodies.”
“The primary spider of health concern in Utah is the western black widow spider.”
“Recent scientific evidence suggests that hobo spiders do not have a necrotic bite.”
“In Utah, hobo spiders are frequently found indoors from August through October.”
Utah Poison Control Center (home page). Utah Poison Control Center, University of Utah Health. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“The service is free and private. By calling 1-800-222-1222 you will save time getting the information you need immediately.”
“Rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, desert tortoises, western (boreal) toads and Columbia spotted frogs are prohibited from being handled or tampered with in any way.”
“From mid-spring to early summer, reptiles, amphibians and other animals are on the move looking for food and mates!”
Be aware: Arachnids (spiders, scorpions). Wild Aware Utah (partnership: Utah DWR, Utah's Hogle Zoo, USU Berryman Institute). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“Fall is the season for spider encounters in Utah.”
Be aware: Bears. Wild Aware Utah (partnership: Utah DWR, Utah's Hogle Zoo, USU Berryman Institute). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“In much of Utah, bears begin denning in the fall — late October for females and mid-November for males — and emerge from their dens in April or May.”
