California
Snakes in Santa Cruz County
22 species have been documented here, 2 of them venomous.
Venomous snakes in Santa Cruz 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.
Prairie RattlesnakeCrotalus viridisVenomousHeavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Every snake recorded in Santa Cruz County
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Thamnophis elegans
Harmless
Aquatic Garter Snake
Thamnophis atratus
Harmless
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
Harmless
Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
Harmless
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
Harmless
Forest Sharp-tailed Snake
Contia longicauda
Harmless
Western Rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus
Venomous
Northern Rubber Boa
Charina bottae
Harmless
California Mountain Kingsnake
Lampropeltis zonata
Harmless
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Harmless
California King Snake
Lampropeltis californiae
Harmless
Sierra Garter Snake
Thamnophis couchii
Harmless
Eastern Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getula
Harmless
Common Sharp-tailed Snake
Contia tenuis
Harmless
Striped Racer
Masticophis lateralis
Harmless
No photo
Mexican Whip Snake
Masticophis lineatus
Harmless
Coast Night Snake
Hypsiglena ochrorhynchus
Harmless
Prairie Rattlesnake
Crotalus viridis
Venomous
Pine Snake
Pituophis melanoleucus
Harmless
Sinaloan Nightsnake
Hypsiglena torquata
Harmless
Red Cornsnake
Pantherophis guttatus
Harmless
Northwestern Garter Snake
Thamnophis ordinoides
Harmless
Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.