Snake FinderField Guide · Worldwide

California

Snakes in Kern County

42 species have been documented here, 7 of them venomous.

Venomous snakes in Kern County

Full guide & what to do if bitten →
  • Western Rattlesnake
    Western Rattlesnake
    Crotalus oreganus
    Venomous

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

  • Sidewinder
    Sidewinder
    Crotalus cerastes
    Venomous

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

  • Mojave Rattlesnake
    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
    Prairie Rattlesnake
    Crotalus viridis
    Venomous

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

  • Panamint Rattlesnake
    Panamint Rattlesnake
    Crotalus stephensi
    Venomous

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

  • Speckled Rattlesnake
    Speckled Rattlesnake
    Crotalus mitchellii
    Venomous

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

  • Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
    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.

Every snake recorded in Kern County

Gopher Snake
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
Harmless
Western Rattlesnake
Western Rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus
Venomous
Sidewinder
Sidewinder
Crotalus cerastes
Venomous
Mojave Rattlesnake
Mojave Rattlesnake
Crotalus scutulatus
Venomous
No photo
Mexican Whip Snake
Masticophis lineatus
Harmless
Sierra Garter Snake
Sierra Garter Snake
Thamnophis couchii
Harmless
Common Coachwhip
Common Coachwhip
Masticophis flagellum
Harmless
Glossy Snake
Glossy Snake
Arizona elegans
Harmless
California King Snake
California King Snake
Lampropeltis californiae
Harmless
Long-nosed Snake
Long-nosed Snake
Rhinocheilus lecontei
Harmless
Western Glossy Snake
Western Glossy Snake
Arizona occidentalis
Harmless
Eastern Kingsnake
Eastern Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getula
Harmless
Mojave Shovelnose Snake
Mojave Shovelnose Snake
Sonora occipitalis
Harmless
Prairie Rattlesnake
Prairie Rattlesnake
Crotalus viridis
Venomous
Western Leaf-nosed Snake
Western Leaf-nosed Snake
Phyllorhynchus decurtatus
Harmless
Striped Racer
Striped Racer
Masticophis lateralis
Harmless
Western Patch-nosed Snake
Western Patch-nosed Snake
Salvadora hexalepis
Harmless
Sinaloan Nightsnake
Sinaloan Nightsnake
Hypsiglena torquata
Harmless
Coastal Rosy Boa
Coastal Rosy Boa
Lichanura orcutti
Harmless
Northern Rubber Boa
Northern Rubber Boa
Charina bottae
Harmless
California Mountain Kingsnake
California Mountain Kingsnake
Lampropeltis zonata
Harmless
Pine Snake
Pine Snake
Pituophis melanoleucus
Harmless
Desert Nightsnake
Desert Nightsnake
Hypsiglena chlorophaea
Harmless
Ring-necked Snake
Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
Harmless
Common Garter Snake
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Harmless
Coast Night Snake
Coast Night Snake
Hypsiglena ochrorhynchus
Harmless
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Thamnophis elegans
Harmless
Southern Rubber Boa
Southern Rubber Boa
Charina umbratica
Harmless
Panamint Rattlesnake
Panamint Rattlesnake
Crotalus stephensi
Venomous
Desert Rosy Boa
Desert Rosy Boa
Lichanura trivirgata
Harmless
Southwestern Blackhead Snake
Southwestern Blackhead Snake
Tantilla hobartsmithi
Harmless
Giant Garter Snake
Giant Garter Snake
Thamnophis gigas
Harmless
Tantilla selmae
Tantilla selmae
Harmless
North American Racer
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
Harmless
California Lyresnake
California Lyresnake
Trimorphodon lyrophanes
Harmless
Speckled Rattlesnake
Speckled Rattlesnake
Crotalus mitchellii
Venomous
Ground Snake
Ground Snake
Sonora semiannulata
Harmless
Western Lyre Snake
Western Lyre Snake
Trimorphodon biscutatus
Harmless
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
Crotalus atrox
Venomous
Two-striped Garter Snake
Two-striped Garter Snake
Thamnophis hammondii
Harmless
Striped Whipsnake
Striped Whipsnake
Masticophis taeniatus
Harmless
Western Threadsnake
Western Threadsnake
Rena humilis
Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

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