Know the dangerous ones
Venomous snakes in San Diego County, California
7 venomous snake species have verified records in San Diego County. Learn to recognize each one, and know what to do if you are bitten.
Field entries
Crotalus oreganus Western RattlesnakeVenomousCrotalus oreganus
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 ruber Red Diamond RattlesnakeVenomousCrotalus ruber
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 cerastes SidewinderVenomousCrotalus cerastes
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 pyrrhus Southwestern Speckled RattlesnakeVenomousCrotalus pyrrhus
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 mitchellii Speckled RattlesnakeVenomousCrotalus mitchellii
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 viridis Prairie RattlesnakeVenomousCrotalus viridis
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 atrox Western Diamond-backed RattlesnakeVenomousCrotalus atrox
How to identify
Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Rarely seenFull profile →
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