California Snakes and How to Find Them

Emily Taylor is a professor of biological sciences at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where she conducts research on the physiology, ecology, and conservation biology of lizards and snakes. A staunch advocate for improving the public image of snakes, especially rattlesnakes, Dr. Taylor is founder of the community science initiative Project RattleCam (rattlecam.org), where members of the public help her and other scientists learn about rattlesnakes by analyzing photos and livestream footage from snake dens. She is owner of Central Coast Snake Services (centralcoastsnakeservices.com), which helps people and snakes in California coexist safely and peacefully. She lives in Atascadero with her husband, Steve, and their menagerie of rescue animals, including Pax the dog, Baby the boa constrictor, Aperol Spritz the bearded dragon, and rattlesnakes Buzz and Snakeholio. Follow her on X @snakeymama.

Preface



Introduction



What Are Snakes?


California Is a Perfect State for Snakes


People and Snakes—A Complicated Relationship


What’s in a Snake’s Name?


How to Find and Watch Snakes in California


Think Before You Touch


California Rattlesnakes Deserve Our Respect, Not Fear


What Good Are Rattlesnakes? (sidebar or box)


That’s Not a Snake!




Family Boidae






Rubber Boa (Charina bottae)
Rosy Boa (Lichanura orcutti)




Family Colubridae






Glossy Snake (Arizona elegans)
Baja California Ratsnake (Bogertophis rosaliae)
Shovel-nosed Snakes (Chionactis annulata and C. occipitalis)
North American Racer (Coluber constrictor)
Sharp-tailed Snakes (Contia longicauda and C. tenuis)
Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus)
Nightsnakes (Hypsiglena chlorophaea and H. ochrorhyncha)
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
Mountain Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis multifasciata and L. zonata)
Coachwhips (Masticophis flagellum and M. fuliginosus)
Striped Racer (Masticophis lateralis)
Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus)
Watersnakes (Nerodia fasciata and N. sipedon)
Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake (Phyllorhynchus decurtatus)
Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer)
Long-nosed Snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei)
Western Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis)
Western Ground Snake (Sonora semiannulata)
Black-headed Snakes (Tantilla hobartsmithi and T. planiceps)
Aquatic Garter Snake (Thamnophis atratus)
Sierra Garter Snake (Thamnophis couchii)
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans)
Giant Garter Snake (Thamnophis gigas)
Two-striped Garter Snake (Thamnophis hammondii)
Checkered Garter Snake (Thamnophis marcianus)
Northwestern Garter Snake (Thamnophis ordinoides)
Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Lyresnakes (Trimorphodon lambda and T. lyrophanes)




Family Hydrophiidae






Yellow-bellied Sea Snake (Hydrophis platurus)




Family Leptotyphlopidae






Western Threadsnake (Rena humilis)




Family Typhlopidae






Brahminy Blindsnake (Indotyphlops braminus)




Family Viperidae






Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)
Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes)
Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus)
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus pyrrhus)
Red Diamond Rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber)
Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)
Panamint Rattlesnake (Crotalus stephensi)




Acknowledgments


Recommended Further Reading


About the Author