Snakes in California

At a glance

18 of the 63 snakes on Learn2ID live in California, part of the Pacific West. 6 are venomous: Mohave Rattlesnake, Red Diamond Rattlesnake, Sidewinder, Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake, Western Diamondback Rattlesnake and Western Rattlesnake. Common Gartersnake, Ring-necked Snake and Terrestrial Gartersnake have only a mild venom. The biggest group here is rattlesnakes: 6 of the 18. California is the only state where the Red Diamond Rattlesnake is found. The Rosy Boa is found in only 2 states, and California is one of them. 6 look-alike pairs here involve a venomous snake — see “Commonly confused” below.