Snakes in San Diego County

• 
  Western Rattlesnake

  Crotalus oreganus

  ▲ 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.

• 
  Sidewinder

  Crotalus cerastes

  ▲ 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.

• 
  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 San Diego County

Western Rattlesnake

Crotalus oreganus

▲ Venomous

Gopher Snake

Pituophis catenifer

Harmless

Red Diamond Rattlesnake

Crotalus ruber

▲ Venomous

California King Snake

Lampropeltis californiae

Harmless

Two-striped Garter Snake

Thamnophis hammondii

Harmless

Sidewinder

Crotalus cerastes

▲ Venomous

Striped Racer

Masticophis lateralis

Harmless

Eastern Kingsnake

Lampropeltis getula

Harmless

Western Leaf-nosed Snake

Phyllorhynchus decurtatus

Harmless

Glossy Snake

Arizona elegans

Harmless

Long-nosed Snake

Rhinocheilus lecontei

Harmless

Coastal Rosy Boa

Lichanura orcutti

Harmless

Ring-necked Snake

Diadophis punctatus

Harmless

Common Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Harmless

Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake

Crotalus pyrrhus

▲ Venomous

Western Threadsnake

Rena humilis

Harmless

Coast Night Snake

Hypsiglena ochrorhynchus

Harmless

Mojave Shovelnose Snake

Sonora occipitalis

Harmless

Western Patch-nosed Snake

Salvadora hexalepis

Harmless

Western Glossy Snake

Arizona occidentalis

Harmless

California Lyresnake

Trimorphodon lyrophanes

Harmless

Colorado Desert Shovelnose Snake

Sonora annulata

Harmless

California Mountain Kingsnake

Lampropeltis zonata

Harmless

Desert Rosy Boa

Lichanura trivirgata

Harmless

Coast Mountain Kingsnake

Lampropeltis multifasciata

Harmless

Speckled Rattlesnake

Crotalus mitchellii

▲ Venomous

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Harmless

Brahminy Blindsnake

Indotyphlops braminus

Harmless

Desert Nightsnake

Hypsiglena chlorophaea

Harmless

Prairie Rattlesnake

Crotalus viridis

▲ Venomous

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Harmless

Pine Snake

Pituophis melanoleucus

Harmless

Baja California Coachwhip

Masticophis fuliginosus

Harmless

Sierra Garter Snake

Thamnophis couchii

Harmless

Western Terrestrial Garter Snake

Thamnophis elegans

Harmless

Eastern Milksnake

Lampropeltis triangulum

Harmless

Northwestern Garter Snake

Thamnophis ordinoides

Harmless

Red Cornsnake

Pantherophis guttatus

Harmless

Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.

Snakes in San Diego County: FAQ

Are there venomous snakes in San Diego County, California?

Yes. 6 venomous snake species have verified records in San Diego County, California, including Western Rattlesnake, Red Diamond Rattlesnake, Sidewinder, Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake. Most snakes in San Diego County, California, however, are harmless.

How many snake species live in San Diego County, California?

30+ snake species have verified records in San Diego County, California, of which 6 are venomous.

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

The Western Rattlesnake is the most frequently reported snake in San Diego County, California, based on verified wildlife observations.

What should I do if I see a venomous snake in San Diego 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.

Nearby counties