Snakes of Tucson, AZ

Tucson snake

Common Snake Species in Tucson

Tucson snake Sonoran Gopher Snake: Sonoran gopher snakes are typically yellow or brown in color and usually have either a dark brown or black pattern ending in stripes near their tales. When these snakes are threatened they rattle their tails and hiss, though they don’t normally attack unless provoked. These snakes can grow up to 5 feet and are commonly mistaken for rattlesnakes.





Tucson snake Night Snake: The night snake is also often mistaken for a rattlesnake, this is because of the pupils they have and the fact that they coil around when resting, not to mention the patterns they have are similar to rattlesnakes. These snakes are also commonly found in urban areas such as bathrooms and garages. Aside from urban areas, these snakes can also be found in areas such as grasslands, deserts, bushes, and woodlands. These types of snakes are also known to make use of the burrows of other mammal animals as their home. These snakes are harmless however and do not bite.




Tucson snake Ground snake: Ground snakes vary in both color and pattern. They can either be red, striped, tan and a multitude of combinations. These snakes can be found in rocky areas, areas with clay, and areas with a lot of dry sand. They like to spend most of their time underground and can sometimes be found under rocks after some heavy rain. Thankfully, these snakes are actually harmless and don’t bite. In fact, these snakes may actually be good to have in one’s backyard.





Tucson snake Whip snake: Whip snakes are usually gray in color which eventually fades to brown. They also have stripes on their sides that go down to their bellies. These snakes are usually found in grassy, woody, rocky areas. They can also be located in areas with open water streams. They also like to stay in rock piles or the burrows of other small mammal animals. These snakes are fast and thin and are often mistaken for coachwhips. These snakes can grow up to 4 feet.





Venomous Snake Species in Tucson

Tucson snake Western Diamondback Rattlesnake: This type of diamondback rattlesnake is usually tan, brown, or grey in color. It also has a diamond-shaped pattern on its back and is commonly speckled with spots. These are also the most common rattlesnakes in the area. These snakes can be found in flat coastal areas but also can be located in high areas such as canyons and hillsides. They can also be found in deserts, grasslands, and pine-oak forests. These snakes can grow up to 4 feet.




Tucson snake Mojave Rattlesnake: Mojave rattlesnakes are usually brown or green in color. They also have diamond patterns on their backs, but unlike the previous diamondback, these snakes don’t have speckles around their body. These snakes can be found in high deserts or low mountain slopes. They can be found inside bush-like areas where they can hide. They also have a tendency to hide behind cacti, forests, or in grassy areas. It likes open and arid areas, so it tends to avoid areas that are overcrowded with plants or are too full of rocks. These snakes can grow up to 3 feet.




Tucson snake Black Tailed Rattlesnake: Black tailed rattlesnakes are usually green, brown, or yellow in color. These snakes also have a unique black tail, which is implied by their name. This separates this snake specifically due to it not having stripes and instead of having a black tail. These snakes like to be in grasslands, deserts, and rocky areas. They also like to reside in areas with high altitudes such as pine-oak forests. They like to stay in warm areas, and as such can be found in, though rarely, areas that are near lava.