Snakes in Imperial County

• 
  Sidewinder

  Crotalus cerastes

  ▲ 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.

• 
  Red Diamond Rattlesnake

  Crotalus ruber

  ▲ Venomous

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

• 
  Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake

  Crotalus pyrrhus

  ▲ Venomous

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

• 
  Speckled Rattlesnake

  Crotalus mitchellii

  ▲ 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.

• 
  Prairie Rattlesnake

  Crotalus viridis

  ▲ Venomous

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

• 
  Western Rattlesnake

  Crotalus oreganus

  ▲ Venomous

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

Every snake recorded in Imperial County

Sidewinder

Crotalus cerastes

▲ Venomous

Ground Snake

Sonora semiannulata

Harmless

Western Threadsnake

Rena humilis

Harmless

Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake

Crotalus atrox

▲ Venomous

Western Leaf-nosed Snake

Phyllorhynchus decurtatus

Harmless

Mojave Shovelnose Snake

Sonora occipitalis

Harmless

Gopher Snake

Pituophis catenifer

Harmless

Glossy Snake

Arizona elegans

Harmless

Colorado Desert Shovelnose Snake

Sonora annulata

Harmless

Common Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Harmless

California King Snake

Lampropeltis californiae

Harmless

Checkered Garter Snake

Thamnophis marcianus

Harmless

Long-nosed Snake

Rhinocheilus lecontei

Harmless

Red Diamond Rattlesnake

Crotalus ruber

▲ Venomous

Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake

Crotalus pyrrhus

▲ Venomous

Western Patch-nosed Snake

Salvadora hexalepis

Harmless

Western Glossy Snake

Arizona occidentalis

Harmless

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Coastal Rosy Boa

Lichanura orcutti

Harmless

Desert Nightsnake

Hypsiglena chlorophaea

Harmless

Speckled Rattlesnake

Crotalus mitchellii

▲ Venomous

Pine Snake

Pituophis melanoleucus

Harmless

California Lyresnake

Trimorphodon lyrophanes

Harmless

Mojave Rattlesnake

Crotalus scutulatus

▲ Venomous

Desert Rosy Boa

Lichanura trivirgata

Harmless

Prairie Rattlesnake

Crotalus viridis

▲ Venomous

Banded Watersnake

Nerodia fasciata

Harmless

Striped Racer

Masticophis lateralis

Harmless

Western Rattlesnake

Crotalus oreganus

▲ Venomous

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in Imperial County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in Imperial County, California?

Yes. 8 venomous snake species have verified records in Imperial County, California, including Sidewinder, Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Red Diamond Rattlesnake, Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake. Most snakes in Imperial County, California, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in Imperial County, California?

20+ snake species have verified records in Imperial County, California, of which 8 are venomous.

What is the most commonly seen snake in Imperial County, California?

The Sidewinder is the most frequently reported snake in Imperial County, California, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Imperial County, California?

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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