There are many different types of snakes found in the United States, and while most of them are pretty harmless, it’s important to be able to identify venomous snakes. This guide will help you do just that with photos and information about some of the most common snakes in Arizona.
One of the most important things to remember when trying to identify a snake is that not all snakes are created equal. There are many different species of snakes, and each one has its own unique physical characteristics. This guide will help you identify some of the most common slithery critters in Arizona, but it is by no means comprehensive.
If you encounter a snake, it is always best to keep your distance and call a professional pest control expert to safely remove it from your property.
Whether you are hiking in the desert or exploring the local parks and forests, you’ll feel safer knowing which type of serpent you’ve just met and if it’s venomous or not.
With this guide, you will have all the tools you need to quickly and easily identify some of the most common venomous snakes in Arizona. So get out there and start exploring!
View endemic snakes in other US states
Common snakes found in the state of Arizona
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
High Risk
Venomous
120 cm (4 ft)
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Kansas
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Utah
Speckled Rattlesnake
High Risk
Venomous
90 – 100 cm (35 -39 in)
- Arizona
- California
- Nevada
- Utah
Blacktail Rattlesnake
High Risk
Venomous
76 -107 cm (30 -42 in)
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Texas
Mojave Rattlesnake
High Risk
Venomous
100-137 cm (39-54 in)
- Arizona
- California
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Texas
- Utah
Western Rattlesnake
High Risk
Venomous
50–95 cm (20–37 in)
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Wyoming
Redbelly Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
4–10 cm (10–25 in)
- All States except Alaska & Hawaii
Massasauga
High Risk
Venomous
50–95 cm (20–37 in)
- Arizona
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Wisconsin
- Michigan
Glossy Snake
Zero Risk
Nonvenomous
75–130 cm (30-50 in)
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Kansas
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Utah
Banded Sand Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
17.8-28 cm (7 – 11 in)
- Arizona
- California
Western Shovelnose Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
25 – 43 cm (10 -17 in)
- Arizona
- California
- Nevada
Racer
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
50 -152 cm (20 -60 in)
- All States except Alaska & Hawaii
Ringneck Snake
Zero Risk
Nonvenomous
25–38 cm (10–15 in)
- All States except Alaska & Hawaii
Western Hooknose Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
18-28 cm (7-11 in)
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Texas
Desert Hooknose Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
18-28 cm (7-11 in)
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Texas
Western Hognose Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
40–50 cm (15–20 in)
- All States except Alaska & Hawaii
Night Snake
Low Risk
Venomous
30–66 cm (12–26 in)
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
Common Kingsnake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
90– 122 cm (35–48 in)
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- NewJersey
- NewMexico
- NewYork
- NorthCarolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- SouthCarolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- WestVirginia
Sonoran Whipsnake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
60 – 150 cm (24–59 in)
- Arizona
- New Mexico
Coachwhip
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
42-60 in (107-152 cm)
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
Striped Whipsnake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
76–183 cm (30-72 in)
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
Southern Water Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
61–107 cm (24–42 in)
- Arizona
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Texas
Northwestern Garter Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
33–97cm (13–38 in)
- California
- Oregon
Saddle Leaf-nosed Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
30–51 cm (12–20 in)
- Arizona
- California
Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
30–51 cm (12–20 in
- Arizona
- California
- Nevada
Gopher Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
91–213 cm (36-84 in)
- Arizona
- California
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Longnose Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
56–81 cm (22–32 in)
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Utah
Big Bend Patchnose Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
50–101 cm (20–40 in)
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Texas
Western Patchnose Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
51–117 cm (20–46 in)
- Arizona
- California
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Texas
Green Rat Snake
Senticolis triaspis
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
91-152 cm (3-5 ft)
- Arizona
Ground Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
20–48 cm (8–19 in)
- Arizona
- Nevada
- California
- Colorado
- Kansas
- Missouri
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Texas
- Utah
Redbelly Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
4–10 cm (10–25 in)
- All States except Alaska & Hawaii
Southwestern Blackhead Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
20–38 cm (8–15 in)
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Texas
- Utah
Plains Blackhead Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
18–38 cm (7–15 in)
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Kansas
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Texas
Big Bend Blackhead Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
≈ 30 cm (11 in)
- Arizona
- California
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Texas
Yaqui Blackhead Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
18–38 cm (7–15 in)
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Kansas
- Nebraska
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Texas
Black neck Garter Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
≈ 107 cm (42 in)
- Arizona
- California
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Utah
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
46–104 cm (18–41 in)
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
Checkered Garter Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
46–61 cm (8–24 in)
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Utah
Western Ribbon Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
43–127 cm (17–50 in)
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Utah
- Washington
- Wyoming
Narrowhead Garter Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
81-112 cm (32–44 in)
- Arizona
- New Mexico
Common Garter Snake
Low Risk
Nonvenomous
55–137 cm (22–54 in)
- All States except Alaska & Hawaii
Western Blind Snake
Zero risk
nonvenomous
30 cm (12 in)
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Utah
For a full list of every venomous and nonvenomous snake found in the USA, check out my full article: Identity 130+ Snake Species From The USA (With Images)
