
When you dwell in Utah, you’re possible surrounded by many alternative species of snake. Snakes are fairly frequent on this state, as it’s dwelling to a number of completely different species.
Typically, these in Utah are advised to watch out for rattlesnakes, that are one of the frequent venomous snakes within the area. Nonetheless, a number of non-lethal snakes hand around in Utah too. A few of these are simply mistaken as venomous, although they’re totally innocent.
This text will take a look at most of the snakes in Utah – serving to you study essential options so as to establish every one.
17 Snakes Present in Utah
Venomous Snakes Present in Utah
1. Nice Basin Rattlesnake
Species: | Crotalus oreganus lutosus |
Longevity: | Unknown |
Good to personal as a pet?: | No |
Authorized to personal?: | No |
Grownup measurement: | 15–65 inches |
Weight loss program | Small mammals, birds, lizards |
There are a number of species of rattlesnake in Utah – the nice basin rattlesnake is considered one of them. This species is discovered all through western Utah, the place it may be present in varied habitats. They’re often ground-dwelling, however they will often climb into timber and shrubs.
They’re venomous, although they use them primarily for looking functions. They’re gentle tank or yellow, with darker blotches operating down their again.
2. Nice Prairie Rattlesnake
Species: | Crotalus viridis viridis |
Longevity: | 16–20 years |
Good to personal as a pet?: | No |
Authorized to personal?: | No |
Grownup measurement: | 35 – 45 years |
Weight loss program | Small mammals, birds, lizards |
The nice prairie rattlesnake is one other frequent species in Utah. They’re primarily present in southeastern Utah, the place they had been not too long ago found.
They’re primarily a ground-dwelling species. Nonetheless, they’ll climb timber and shrubs often.
They’re venomous, which they use to subdue prey gadgets. Like most venomous snakes, they’ve giant hole fangs of their higher jaw.
3. Hopi Rattlesnake
Species: | Crotalus viridis viridis |
Longevity: | 6.2 years on common |
Good to personal as a pet?: | No |
Authorized to personal?: | No |
Grownup measurement: | 24 inches |
Weight loss program | Small mammals, birds, lizards |
The Hopi rattlesnake is a smaller species of rattlesnake that’s present in southern Utah. They’ll climb timber like all rattlesnakes, however they’re principally discovered on the bottom.
They solely develop to be about 24 inches lengthy. They’re much smaller than different rattlesnakes discovered within the space. They’re pink or reddish, with barely-noticeable darker blotches alongside their again.
4. Midget Light Rattlesnake
Species: | Crotalus oreganus concolor |
Longevity: | 15–20 years |
Good to personal as a pet?: | No |
Authorized to personal?: | No |
Grownup measurement: | 24 inches |
Weight loss program | Small mammals, birds, lizards |
That is one other species of rattlesnake – this time primarily present in japanese Utah. They’re often discovered on the bottom, however they will climb onto timber and shrubs as nicely. They’re identified to congregate in giant numbers, particularly throughout the colder months.
They’re venomous and look just like different rattlesnakes. The darker splotches on their again are often very recognizable, as is their rattle.
Water Snakes Present in Utah
5. Black-Necked Garter Snake
Species: | Thamnophis Cyrtopsis |
Longevity: | 2 years |
Good to personal as a pet?: | Sure |
Authorized to personal?: | Sure |
Grownup measurement: | 16 – 28 inches |
Weight loss program | Amphibians |
There are a number of varieties of garter snakes present in Utah, with the black-necked garter snake as considered one of them. Nonetheless, this is likely one of the rarer subspecies.
It’s distinguishable as a result of it has two giant black blotches on the again of its head.
They’re sometimes discovered close to water, the place their main meals supply lives. They’re most lively from April to October.
6. Ring-Necked Snake
Species: | Diadophis punctatus |
Longevity: | 8–10 years |
Good to personal as a pet?: | No |
Authorized to personal?: | Sure |
Grownup measurement: | 10–15 inches |
Weight loss program | Amphibians, lizards, snakes |
This species is native to Utah, principally within the central areas of the state. They don’t seem to be significantly considerable, nevertheless it isn’t odd to return throughout them.
They’re gray or darker in colour, with an especially vibrant orange/yellow stomach. Many do have a equally coloured neckband – therefore their identify. Nonetheless, not all of them do. It’s lacking from some people.
They are often present in a wide range of habitats, however they do desire to be round water. They’re secretive and nocturnal, so many individuals don’t simply encounter them.
Different Snakes Present in Utah
7. Coachwhip
Species: | Masticophis flagellum |
Longevity: | 16+ years |
Good to personal as a pet?: | Sure |
Authorized to personal?: | Sure |
Grownup measurement: | 50–72 inches |
Weight loss program | Lizards, snakes, birds, eggs |
The coachwhip is restricted to the southwestern nook of the state. They’re well-known for tolerating scorching climate, which permits them to stay lively all through a lot of the day. They like dry, open terrain.
Typically, you could find them in grassland, desert, and agricultural areas.
They’re most lively within the spring and summer time. Within the winter, they take refuge in previous rodent burrows.
8. Widespread Garter Snake
Species: | Thamnophis sirtalis |
Longevity: | 4–5 years |
Good to personal as a pet?: | Sure |
Authorized to personal?: | Sure |
Grownup measurement: | 18–26 inches |
Weight loss program | Earthworms, fish, bugs |
Garter snakes are extraordinarily frequent. They happen all through most of the arid areas in the USA. They’re discovered all through most of Utah.
This species is totally innocent. Most of their weight loss program consists of earthworms and comparable bugs. They do eat small birds often.
You could find them in most moist habitats, the place they’re lively at night time and throughout the day. They continue to be underground throughout the colder components of the yr and stay inactive.
9. Widespread Kingsnake
Species: | Lampropeltis getula |
Longevity: | 20–30 years |
Good to personal as a pet?: | Sure |
Authorized to personal?: | Sure |
Grownup measurement: | 2–6 toes |
Weight loss program | Reptiles and small mammals |
The kingsnake is simply frequent to the southern a part of the state. It lives in a wide range of habitats, together with agricultural areas, woodland, and deserts. Like most snakes, they’re solely lively throughout the hotter components of the yr.
They prey on reptiles, birds, and small mammals. They might often eat eggs. They additionally often eat rattlesnakes – one of many few animals to take action.
10. Corn Snake
Species: | Elaphe guttata |
Longevity: | 6–8 years |
Good to personal as a pet?: | Sure |
Authorized to personal?: | Sure |
Grownup measurement: | 2–6 toes |
Weight loss program | Rodents, bats, birds, bugs, different snakes |
Corn snakes are discovered principally in japanese Utah. They sometimes dwell in streams, rocky areas, and forests. They’re principally lively at night time, particularly within the hotter summer time months.
They generally eat bats, birds, bugs, lizards, and different snakes.
They differ considerably in colour, starting from gentle gray to darker gray. They often have darkish blotches on their again, with two markings on the again of their neck in a V-shape.
11. Japanese Racer
Species: | Coluber constrictor |
Longevity: | As much as 10 years |
Good to personal as a pet?: | Sure |
Authorized to personal?: | Sure |
Grownup measurement: | 24–48 inches |
Weight loss program | Massive bugs, reptiles, birds, and small mammals |
The japanese racer is a bigger snake that’s frequent all through a lot of North America. They’re inactive throughout the chilly winter months after they hibernate. They’re one of many few snakes to hibernate communally.
They’re sometimes present in open fields and meadows. They might even be situated in woodlands, although they like extra open areas. They’ll climb timber, however they’re principally ground-dwelling.
12. Gopher Snake
Species: | Pituophis catenifer |
Longevity: | 12–15 years |
Good to personal as a pet?: | Sure |
Authorized to personal?: | Sure |
Grownup measurement: | 48–66 inches |
Weight loss program | Birds, small mammals, lizards, bugs |
The gopher snake may be present in a wide range of completely different areas, starting from dry fields to mountains. They’re nice climbers and burrowers, permitting them to adapt to plenty of areas.
These snakes have the same adaptation to rattlesnakes. They’ll vibrate their tails when alarmed. Nonetheless, they don’t seem to be venomous. They typically kill their prey by constriction as a substitute.
They’re giant, with some people exceeding 100 inches.
13. Floor Snake
Species: | Sonora semiannulata |
Longevity: | 15–20 years |
Good to personal as a pet?: | Sure |
Authorized to personal?: | Sure |
Grownup measurement: | 8 inches |
Weight loss program | Bugs |
The bottom snake is situated all through a lot of the southwestern United States, together with Utah. They’re solely discovered within the southwestern nook, although.
They’re a shy species that tends to maintain to themselves. They hid in rocky hillsides and sandy areas.
Their most important supply of meals is bugs and spiders, although they’ll eat any invertebrate.
They’re straightforward to establish as a result of their vibrant pink and black stripes. They appear fairly distinctive in comparison with different snakes within the space.
14. Lengthy-Nosed Snake
Species: | Rhinocheilus lecontei |
Longevity: | 12–20 years |
Good to personal as a pet?: | Sure |
Authorized to personal?: | Sure |
Grownup measurement: | 3 toes |
Weight loss program | Lizards, lizard eggs |
This medium-sized snake is generally discovered within the western a part of Utah. They’re nocturnal and solely lively within the hotter months.
Their most important prey consists of lizards and their eggs. However they will even eat different snakes and rodents as they turn out to be obtainable. They’re fairly opportunistic in terms of their consuming patterns.
They’ve black and pink stripes alongside their again, which makes them look considerably just like the western coral snake. Nonetheless, they’re fully innocent. (The western coral snake additionally doesn’t happen in Utah; sightings are often of long-nosed snakes.)
15. Milk Snake
Species: | Lampropeltis triangulum |
Longevity: | As much as 15 years |
Good to personal as a pet?: | Sure |
Authorized to personal?: | Sure |
Grownup measurement: | 24 – 26 inches |
Weight loss program | Small mammals, small birds, reptiles, eggs |
In Utah, this species may be discovered within the center and japanese parts. They eat all of the belongings you’d anticipate a snake to, together with mammals, birds, reptiles, and a wide range of eggs.
They’ve pink and white stripes, with small, darker stripes in between. This appears considerably just like the coral snake, which is venomous. Nonetheless, this species is totally innocent. Their coloration possible advanced as a mimicry to scare off predators.
This species may be present in many alternative habitats and is basically lively at night time. Additionally they hibernate throughout the colder months.
16. Night time Snake
Species: | Hypsiglena torquata |
Longevity: | 12 years |
Good to personal as a pet?: | No |
Authorized to personal?: | No |
Grownup measurement: | 12–26 inches |
Weight loss program | Lizards and lizard eggs |
Night time snakes are quite frequent within the desert areas of Utah. They inhabit arid desert flats, in addition to plains and a few woodlands. They like rocky and sandy soils.
Their most important weight loss program consists of lizards and their eggs. Nonetheless, they might additionally eat frogs, bugs, and different snakes. They do have venom that they use to subdue their prey.
Nonetheless, they don’t seem to be venomous to individuals. They ship very small quantities of venom and infrequently chunk individuals – even when dealt with. Nonetheless, they’re generally not saved as pets for that reason.
17. Rubber Boa
Species: | Charina bottae |
Longevity: | 40–50 years |
Good to personal as a pet?: | No |
Authorized to personal?: | Sure |
Grownup measurement: | 21–26 years |
Weight loss program | Shrews, mice, lizards, and small birds |
In Utah, this species is discovered within the northern portion of the state. They’re principally within the Wasatch Mountains.
Because the identify suggests, they principally kill their prey by constriction. They eat small mammals like shrews and mice. They might additionally eat different smaller snakes and small birds.
They’re nocturnal and solely lively from March to November usually.
Conclusion
There are lots of species of snakes in Utah. Most of them are innocent. In reality, the varied rattlesnake species are the one significantly venomous snakes. There are a number of that produce venom, however not in any giant quantities.
Figuring out rattlesnakes is kind of straightforward. They appear completely different from different snakes within the area.
It is very important level out that the western coral snake will not be native to Utah. There are different snakes that look like this venomous one. Nonetheless, all the same snakes in Utah will not be venomous.
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Featured Picture Credit score: Matt Jeppson, Shutterstock
