Snakes in Santa Cruz County

• 
  Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake

  Crotalus molossus

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.

• 
  Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake

  Crotalus atrox

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.

• 
  Rock Rattlesnake

  Crotalus lepidus

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.

• 
  Tiger Rattlesnake

  Crotalus tigris

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.

• 
  Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake

  Crotalus willardi

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.

• 
  Mojave Rattlesnake

  Crotalus scutulatus

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.

• 
  Sonoran Coralsnake

  Micruroides euryxanthus

  ▲ Venomous

  Red, yellow (whitish), and black rings with red touching yellow; blunt black snout.

• 
  Twin-spotted Rattlesnake

  Crotalus pricei

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.

• 
  Sidewinder

  Crotalus cerastes

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.

• 
  Prairie Rattlesnake

  Crotalus viridis

  ▲ Venomous

  Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.

Every snake recorded in Santa Cruz County

Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake

Crotalus molossus

▲ Venomous

Black-necked Garter Snake

Thamnophis cyrtopsis

Harmless

Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake

Crotalus atrox

▲ Venomous

Gopher Snake

Pituophis catenifer

Harmless

Rock Rattlesnake

Crotalus lepidus

▲ Venomous

Sonoran Whipsnake

Masticophis bilineatus

Harmless

Tiger Rattlesnake

Crotalus tigris

▲ Venomous

Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake

Crotalus willardi

▲ Venomous

Mojave Rattlesnake

Crotalus scutulatus

▲ Venomous

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Common Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Harmless

Sonoran Lyre Snake

Trimorphodon lambda

Harmless

Sonoran Coralsnake

Micruroides euryxanthus

▲ Venomous

Green Rat Snake

Senticolis triaspis

Harmless

Chihuahuan Mountain Kingsnake

Lampropeltis knoblochi

Harmless

Western Patch-nosed Snake

Salvadora hexalepis

Harmless

Long-nosed Snake

Rhinocheilus lecontei

Harmless

Desert Nightsnake

Hypsiglena chlorophaea

Harmless

Desert Kingsnake

Lampropeltis splendida

Harmless

Ground Snake

Sonora semiannulata

Harmless

Checkered Garter Snake

Thamnophis marcianus

Harmless

Thornscrub Hook-nosed Snake

Gyalopion quadrangulare

Harmless

Yaqui Black-headed Snake

Tantilla yaquia

Harmless

Thornscrub Vine Snake

Oxybelis microphthalmus

Harmless

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Mexican Garter Snake

Thamnophis eques

Harmless

Arizona Mountain Kingsnake

Lampropeltis pyromelana

Harmless

Twin-spotted Rattlesnake

Crotalus pricei

▲ Venomous

Chihuahuan Hook-nosed Snake

Gyalopion canum

Harmless

Glossy Snake

Arizona elegans

Harmless

Western Threadsnake

Rena humilis

Harmless

Western Glossy Snake

Arizona occidentalis

Harmless

Southwestern Blackhead Snake

Tantilla hobartsmithi

Harmless

California King Snake

Lampropeltis californiae

Harmless

Sidewinder

Crotalus cerastes

▲ Venomous

Texas Blind Snake

Rena dulcis

Harmless

Banded Sand Snake

Sonora cincta

Harmless

Prairie Rattlesnake

Crotalus viridis

▲ Venomous

Pine Snake

Pituophis melanoleucus

Harmless

Mexican Hognose Snake

Heterodon kennerlyi

Harmless

Striped Whipsnake

Masticophis taeniatus

Harmless

Saddled Leafnose Snake

Phyllorhynchus browni

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Santa Cruz County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Santa Cruz County, Arizona?

Yes. 10 venomous snake species have verified records in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, including Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake, Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Rock Rattlesnake, Tiger Rattlesnake. Most snakes in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Santa Cruz County, Arizona?

40+ snake species have verified records in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, of which 10 are venomous.

What is the most commonly seen snake in Santa Cruz County, Arizona?

The Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake is the most frequently reported snake in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Santa Cruz County, Arizona?

Keep your distance and do not try to catch or kill it. Most bites happen when people handle or corner a snake. If someone is bitten, contact local emergency services or poison control immediately.

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