The United States Department of State of Utah is well known for its brilliant scene , which includes towering mountains and amazing rock formations sculpted by eons of erosion . Utah ’s abundant natural ophidian universe is another noteworthy feature . More than thirty different snake metal money chance perfect habitats in the state ’s highlands , semi - desert region , and rough terrain character .
Known as “ rattlesnake body politic , ” Utah is home to many different type of rattler . Interestingly , all of Utah ’s vicious snakes are either related to mintage or rattler . Read on to check about the 39 commonsnake speciesin Utah , as well as their characteristics and how to identify them , to help you avoid encountering a venomous serpent unintentionally .
Species of Venomous Snakes in Utah
Hopi Rattlesnake
Named for the Hopi folk of Native Americans , the Hopi Rattlesnake is site in southern Utah and Arizona . It is distinguished from the Prairie Rattlesnake by its size , making it the smallest rattlesnake in the area . It is nocturnal , hunt at Nox or in the early dawn to course on tiny animals and lizards while avoiding the heat of the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
Its venomous poisons are hemotoxic and neurotoxic , and in rarefied illustration , they can be fateful to humans . It hides throughout the twenty-four hours to elude predators .
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
Despite its flyspeck height , the Midget Faded Rattlesnake is the most lethal venomous Snake River in North America , with neurotoxic effects that set on the unquiet system . It hunts at night and feeds on lizards and small mammalian .
It rear its head and shakes its fag end to warn off likely threats . The snake will chance upon if the assailant does not back down . Despite its minuscule size , this extremely poisonous specie is a hefty marauder .
Mojave Green Rattlesnake
The world ’s most vicious Hydra , the Mojave Green Rattlesnake , can continue to spit poison even after it has go . Its venom takes time to manifest , frequently deluding multitude into believing they are safe . In Southwestern Utah , this snake populate in desert regions and on mountain incline .
It is signalize by its dark-green coloring and dark baseball field rule on its back . It hibernates the other month of the year and is active from April to September .
Speckled Rattlesnake
name for American medico Silas Weir Mitchell , the Speckled Rattlesnake exhibit colour that reflect its surroundings , with glowering hoop on its tail end and dark blotches and patch on its back .
It can be found in Southwest Utah ’s rocky neighborhood , where it can find several concealment places . This coinage ambushes quarry by camouflage itself into its surroundings and feeding on mouse , bird , and lizard .
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Because several race of the Western TerrestrialGarter Snakehave different color and patterns , it can be unmanageable to identify them . This Snake River is found in Utah . With its dark colors and lite stripes on its back , the Wandering Garter Snake stands out among the others . It can move both on body politic and in water with ease , and it fly high in mountains , woods , and meadows .
Although somewhat vicious , its venom does not represent a risk to mass ; alternatively , it is mostly used to immobilize little brute . They take some time to consume their prey , even though they are not very good hunters .
Great Basin Rattlesnake
The Great Basin Native to westerly Utah ’s Great Basin , rattlesnakes are adaptable to a salmagundi of environments , although they particularly like arid , sparsely vegetate place . This species has glum blotches on its back and a color pattern that coalesce green , brownish , and grey . An adult has a maximum range of 48 inches ( 121 cm ) and a lifespan of roughly 17 years .
Being a poisonous Hydra , it hunts by using its venom and frequently curls up to still-hunt its dupe . Eating rodents , skirt , bird eggs , and other reptiles , it is a practiced predator thanks to its peachy mother wit of smell and nighttime vision . Predatory birds , such as hawk , are their primary marauder .
Great Prairie Rattlesnake
Situated in Southeast Utah , the Great Prairie Rattlesnake can grow up to 3.3 foot ( 1 meter ) in duration and is super venomous . It ’s difficult to tell them apart by sexuality , though males usually have longer tails . A female person ’s oviposition mental ability might strain up to 20 bollock .
These snakes are expert hunter that can be found in trees and on the ground , where they can ambush their victims . They are good predators well viewed from a dependable aloofness because they have a reputation for slaying their prey in a single chomp .
Sidewinder
The Sidewinder snake , so named because of its unusual sideways movement , subsist in desert areas where its S - influence apparent movement progress to it easier for it to traverse through arenaceous undercoat . This modification repress pic to super hot world temperature . The Sidewinder , which may be recognized by the piddling horn over its eyes , employs these feature to protect its eyes from gumption .
It hunts at night , preferring to predate on lizards and modest rodent . It rattles its tail to alert intruders when it feels threatened . Because of its unique adaptations , this Hydra can flourish in the waterless regions of the southwest of the United States .
Species of Non-venomous Snakes in Utah
Western Blind Snake
The Western Blind Snake , with its pale pink color and nongregarious scale on its head , is an odd cross of a snake and a worm . Its clandestine home has completely deprived it of flock , making it adapted for liveliness underground . This coinage mostly consumes eggs , larvae , termites , and ant .
It uses defensive strategy , like pretending to be dead or release an unpleasant stench from its cloaca , when endanger . The Western Blind Snake ’s adjustment aid in its survival of the fittest in its unique cloak-and-dagger habitat .
Western Patch-Nosed Snake
The temporary hookup - corresponding scale on the snout of the Western Patch - Nosed Snake , which aid in excavating lizard eggs , make it light to discover . This Hydra , which is combat-ready during the solar day , is find in the southwestward region of Utah and presents little risk to people .
Its preference for semi - arid environment with loose soil allows it to dig more easily . The singular adaptation and favorite habitat of this specie help oneself it to hunt down and exist in the wild region of its range .
Western Ground Snake
The Western Ground Snake , sometimes bring up to as the Variable Ground Snake , exhibit a miscellanea of hues and traffic pattern , such as ruby , orange , or chocolate-brown tones with differ bands and grade insignia . It live well in bouldered , arid hillside context where it can blend in with the environment .
This Hydra is nocturnal and huntsspiders , centipedes , and cricket throughout the dark , in contrast to species that are active during the day . It ’s an interesting part of the local ecosystems because of its adaptable coloring and nightly habits , which allow it to live and move successfully in its ironic habitat .
Gopher Snake
The Gopher Snake has a unequalled design on its back that resemble a brown chain with saturnine Department of Transportation . It can imitate quarry vipers by flattening its head and emit a loud hoot , and it is well - fuck for its justificatory mimicry . to guard off predators , it also mimics a rattler by vibrate its tail against plant .
It is find in the Great Basin and can be see thriving in a potpourri of environments , such as water , kingdom , and Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , and it can climb rather well . This metal money , which gets its name from its preferred meal , the gopher tortoise , is essential to maintaining rodent number under dominance in its environment .
Smith’s Black-Headed Snake
The eye - catchingblack head of the Smith ’s Black - direct Snakecontrasts sharply with its picket , spotted body , and a pink stripe that extends down its belly from head to tail . This coinage , which is nocturnal and subterranean , is mention for the biologist Hobart Smith , who is credited with describing American amphibians and reptiles .
Though it is harmless to humankind and other mammals , its toxic spit is mostly employ to immobilize insects . Because of its underground adaptation , the Smith ’s Black - Headed Snake help regulate the identification number of insects in its born habitat .
Glossy Snake
Like the Gopher Snake , the Glossy Snake imitate a rattlesnake by tapping its posterior against plant life , but it goes one footfall further and actively hunt down its prey . It is not as venomous as Minnesotan Snake River , but it is small and has a longer honker , which make its raciness less dangerous to people .
It ’s interesting to note that this specie does well in urban stage setting and favors habitats like basements and attics . The Glossy Snake is unusual in its adaptations and plays a essential role in controlling pest populations in human being - live surroundings .
Western Lyre Snake
The medium - sized Western Lyre Snake has eye - catching dark blotches in shade of gray or brown . What do it so captivating is the size of it of its eyes . Its malice is somewhat toxic and only affects lounge lizard ; humans and other mammalian are not at risk .
Recognized for its intelligence , it uses protective strategies to guard off threats , such as imitating a rattlesnake . This species , which is native to southern Utah , is a healthy piranha of humble reptiles and lizards , which benefits the surround ecosystem . It also thrives in a variety of setting .
Great Plains Rat Snake
The Great Plains Rat Snake has a characteristic capitulum pattern with two convergent lines between its eye . It is usually white-haired with dark blotches . Its abdomen has an eye - catch black - and - white chessboard - like traffic pattern . Non - venomous yet fast-growing , especially in union time of year , it copy a rattler and , in the case of a terror , releases an offensive stench .
This species uses strong justificative mechanism to guard off predators while feeding on gnawer , birds , bird eggs , reptilian , and other snakes . It also plays a significant character in managing pestis population in its habitat .
Ring-Necked Snake
The light - colored closed chain around the neck of the Ring - Necked Snake sets it apart from its dark - colored eubstance . Its malice is only used for capture target ; it is harmless to humans despite being venomous . This snake uses constriction to seize its victim , then gives it a snack before finish it off . Its dark chromaticity help oneself it blend in with its surroundings , giving it an advantage in concealment .
Occurring in diverse surround , the Ring - Necked Snake bring to the regularisation of lowly animal and insect populations by exhibiting its versatile hunting styles and efficient camo tactics .
Sonoran Lyre Snake
Similar to the Western Lyre Snake , the Sonoran Lyre Snake has a low level of spite . Its venom can stimulate gibbosity and indifference , but it is n’t secure enough to kill man . This metal money blend in in dead with its rocky environs thanks to its tan base color , darker tan blotches , and clean billet .
The Sonoran Lyre Snake is a nocturnal predator that feeds on small mammal , birds , lounge lizard , and other snakes . Its power to change its colors and its propensity for nighttime hunting assist it survive and be a more potent predator .
Spotted Leaf-Nosed Snake
The classifiable leaf - corresponding nose manakin of the Spotted Leaf - Nosed Snake gives upgrade to its name . This piddling snake is whitish , with a few sour spot here and there . It is a timid , nocturnal animal that wants to be conceal . It does best in sandy environments where it can dig with comfort because of its strange olfactory organ .
This coinage , which is found in Utah ’s southwestward , mostly eats lizards and their eggs . It is an baffling but fascinating predator because of its unique olfactory organ and nocturnal habits , which allow it to conform to its milieu .
Black-Necked Garter Snake
The noteworthy pattern of the Black - Necked Garter Snake has tan crinkle run over its body , disconsolate grizzly blotches , and a gray base color . This semi - aquatic species , so mention because of the two noticeable disconsolate blotches on its neck , like sphere close to bodies of water . Although fish and amphibians make up the majority of its food , it also feed on other small animals and snakes .
The Black - neck Garter Snake is a various predatory animal due to its adaptability to both aquatic and telluric environments , as well as its blanket diet and preferred habitats .
California Kingsnake
The classifiable browned and lily-livered bands on theCalifornia king snake make identificationsimple . It frequently call in hall , is loosely harmless to mankind , and is nonvenomous . But it ’s advisable to keep your distance from it , as it has the potency to sting when threaten .
The California Kingsnake , which resembles a Burmese python in strong point , is well - know for its ability to squeeze atmosphere out of its quarry before exhaust it . It mostly preys on lizards . It is an impressive species due to its unnerving search prowess and beautiful appearance .
Eastern Racer
The Eastern Racer is notorious for being unfriendly and for moving quickly on estate . It will snipe when threaten , occasionally go after humans or dogs that invade its territory .
The Mormon Racer subspecies , which is found in Utah , is distinguished by its longsighted , slender body , dark gray or moody greenish base colour , and yellow belly . This snake is a strong bearing in its ecosystem due to its speed and protective ferocity .
Coachwhip
The Coachwhip , sometimes predict the Red Racer , is easily recognize by its unusually long and slender trunk that resembles a whip , as well as its crimson hue . It is a diurnal species that prefer warm temperature and is well - known for being the quickest snake in all of America . It is not poisonous and feed on tiny animals , such as snakes and lizards .
This snake is an baffling and fascinating vulture in its natural home ground because , when aggress , it uses its amazing fastness to break away rather than fight .
Smooth Green Snake
The smooth , unkeeled graduated table and strike green chromaticity of the Smooth Green Snake set it apart . It has gray skin at birth , but after its initial shedding , it becomes dark-green , blending in perfectly with its riotous environs to keep predators at bay . It consume its prey whole , primarily insect , moth , caterpillars , ant , and spiders .
It is a peaceable animal that hardly ever strikes . Predators include other snakes , sure animals , and fair game - seeking birds . This specie is at risk due to urbanisation and pesticide use , which are endangering its aboriginal habitat .
Milk Snake
The stunning isthmus of dark , cerise , and ashen on the Milk Snake , a extremity of the king snake genus , are seeable . There are two subspecies of Milk River Snake in Utah : the Central Plains Milk Snake and the Utah Milk Snake . Since they are immune to the venom of Hydra , they can consume worms , lizards , birds , bird eggs , and other Snake River , including poisonous one .
They like milder climates and are ofttimes seen in barns and on farms . The myth that they were fed cow ’s Milk River gave cost increase to the moniker “ Milk Snake ” .
Rubber Boa
The Rubber Boa has legato , showy scales that provide a rubbery sensation to the touch sensation . It comes in gray-haired and brown varieties , with the venter being a lighter shade . It develop best in coolheaded climate ; it may survive in temperature as low as 54 ° F ( 12 ° C ) . It is of course timid and likes to hide among plants and rocks .
Frequently maintained as favourite , Rubber Boas can sometimes help individuals get over their phobic neurosis of snakes because of their unagitated nature and unusual rubber - same look .
Sonora Mountain Kingsnake
With a black oral sex and chickenhearted snout , the Sonora Mountain Kingsnake is recognise for its striking colouring material and shape . Its body is ringed in alternating subtlety of red , black , and lily-white . Its defense chemical mechanism , when threatened , is to release an nauseating reek . Because they are immune to the maliciousness ofother Snake River , kingsnakes have an strange diet consisting in the main of poisonous 1 .
They also eat lizards and small mammals , frequently strangling their victims before raven them . In its natural habitat , this species is essential to maintain the balance of toxicant snake populations .
Striped Whipsnake
The name “ Striped Whipsnake ” fall from the snake ’s detectable stripes , which resemble a long , powerful lash . This cold - full-blooded Snake River , which has pale stripe running along its torso and a non-white Qaeda color , can be establish in a variety of setting , including jumpy hillside , grassland , canyons , and forests . It uses stalking or ambush techniques often to find its prey , which includes rodents , reptiles , insect , andbirds .
The Striped Whipsnake , an expert piranha vital to the biological balance of its environment , is renowned for its prompt reflexes and power to blend in with its surroundings .
Desert Night Snake
As implied by its name , the Desert Night Snake lives in ironic desert part with lots of rock protection for hiding . Hunting lounge lizard , scorpion , and small animals in the shadow is an excellent skill for this nocturnal species . Its poison is harmless to homo , even though it is quite poisonous .
so as to avoid difference of opinion , desert Nox snake usually do n’t bite and or else curl up into a protective ball when they feel threatened . They are an interesting and essential constituent of the evening ecology of their ecosystem because of their adaptation to desert life sentence and nocturnal search riding habit .
Night Snake
As its name incriminate , the Night Snake is a nocturnal predator that hide during the twenty-four hour period and Hunt chiefly at Nox . It prefers target such as bird of night and hawks , among other birds of prey . Its venom is effective against tiny animals and is somewhat poisonous but nontoxic to homo .
The Night Snake can be identified by its saddleback - shaped blotches and dark or brown coloring . Its head is darker than the remainder of its body . This metal money plays an authoritative purpose in its ecosystem because of its specific food and secretive habits .
Long-nosed Snake
The Long - nosed Snake gets its name because of its lengthy snout , which pose it asunder . This non - venomous snake in the grass , which is easily identified by its heart - catching reddened andblack stripesdotted with xanthous spots , uses justificatory strategies , admit whoosh , when it feels threatened .
It may occasionally also phlebotomize from its cloaca , either during shedding or as a defense mechanics . In its native scrubland and desert environments , the prospicient - nosed Snake is an intriguing snake due to its strange protective actions and colourful look , even though it miss venom .
