Know the dangerous ones

Venomous snakes in Imperial County, California

8 venomous snake species have verified records in Imperial County. Learn to recognize each one, and know what to do if you are bitten.

Field entries

Crotalus cerastes
Sidewinder
Crotalus cerastes
Venomous
How to identify
Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Commonly seenFull profile →
Crotalus atrox
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
Crotalus atrox
Venomous
How to identify
Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Often seenFull profile →
Crotalus ruber
Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Crotalus ruber
Venomous
How to identify
Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Occasionally seenFull profile →
Crotalus pyrrhus
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake
Crotalus pyrrhus
Venomous
How to identify
Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Occasionally seenFull profile →
Crotalus mitchellii
Speckled Rattlesnake
Crotalus mitchellii
Venomous
How to identify
Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Occasionally seenFull profile →
Crotalus scutulatus
Mojave Rattlesnake
Crotalus scutulatus
Venomous
How to identify
Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Rarely seenFull profile →
Crotalus viridis
Prairie Rattlesnake
Crotalus viridis
Venomous
How to identify
Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Rarely seenFull profile →
Crotalus oreganus
Western Rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus
Venomous
How to identify
Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Rarely seenFull profile →

Looking for all snakes here, not just the venomous ones? See all snakes in Imperial County.