California
Snakes in Orange County
26 species have been documented here, 5 of them venomous.
Venomous snakes in Orange County
Full guide & what to do if bitten →
Western RattlesnakeCrotalus oreganusVenomousHeavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Red Diamond RattlesnakeCrotalus ruberVenomousHeavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Southwestern Speckled RattlesnakeCrotalus pyrrhusVenomousHeavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Prairie RattlesnakeCrotalus viridisVenomousHeavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Speckled RattlesnakeCrotalus mitchelliiVenomousHeavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Every snake recorded in Orange County
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
Harmless
Western Rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus
Venomous
California King Snake
Lampropeltis californiae
Harmless
Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Crotalus ruber
Venomous
Striped Racer
Masticophis lateralis
Harmless
Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
Harmless
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake
Crotalus pyrrhus
Venomous
Common Coachwhip
Masticophis flagellum
Harmless
Brahminy Blindsnake
Indotyphlops braminus
Harmless
Two-striped Garter Snake
Thamnophis hammondii
Harmless
Eastern Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getula
Harmless
Coast Night Snake
Hypsiglena ochrorhynchus
Harmless
Western Patch-nosed Snake
Salvadora hexalepis
Harmless
Sierra Garter Snake
Thamnophis couchii
Harmless
California Mountain Kingsnake
Lampropeltis zonata
Harmless
Western Threadsnake
Rena humilis
Harmless
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
Harmless
Prairie Rattlesnake
Crotalus viridis
Venomous
California Lyresnake
Trimorphodon lyrophanes
Harmless
Coast Mountain Kingsnake
Lampropeltis multifasciata
Harmless
Coastal Rosy Boa
Lichanura orcutti
Harmless
Desert Rosy Boa
Lichanura trivirgata
Harmless
Speckled Rattlesnake
Crotalus mitchellii
Venomous
Pine Snake
Pituophis melanoleucus
Harmless
Glossy Snake
Arizona elegans
Harmless
Long-nosed Snake
Rhinocheilus lecontei
Harmless
Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.
Snakes in Orange County: FAQ
- Are there venomous snakes in Orange County, California?
- Yes. 5 venomous snake species have verified records in Orange County, California, including Western Rattlesnake, Red Diamond Rattlesnake, Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake, Prairie Rattlesnake. Most snakes in Orange County, California, however, are harmless.
- How many snake species live in Orange County, California?
- 20+ snake species have verified records in Orange County, California, of which 5 are venomous.
- What is the most commonly seen snake in Orange County, California?
- The Gopher Snake is the most frequently reported snake in Orange County, California, based on verified wildlife observations.
- What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Orange 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.