Studies show that there are around 37 species of common snakes in North California and these snakes are often found in coastal plains, mountain regions, and river side. These snakes find plenty of vegetation and crop rich areas to hide where they can easily find prey and camouflage. Below we have highlighted details about few common snakes of North California that are often spotted by humans:



1. Rat Snakes:
People report sightings of both gray and black rats in North California, and they usually consume rats, mice, lizards and venomous copperhead snakes. These common rat snakes can lower down the number of venomous snakes from residential areas and also control rodent attacks with ease. However, many people also confuse this snake with the dangerous copperhead snake. They are usually spotted garage, sheds, and outbuildings.

2. Racer Snakes:
The light racer, young racer, and black racer are some of the commonly found snakes in North California. These snakes can grow up to 70 inches in length, and some people report that they are often confused with black rat snakes. Experts say that these snakes prefer to live in brushy areas, rocky hillsides, and meadows. They can eat eggs, frogs, lizards, and insects from residential areas.

3. Corn Snakes:
These corn snakes are found in wide range of colors, size, and patterns at different areas of North California. Some of the most commonly observed shades are yellow, beige, red, brown, tan and orange with black borders. The diamond-shaped design of these snakes makes them easy to identify still many times they are confused with venomous copperhead snake and a rat snake.

4. Garter Snakes:
The stripped and common garter snakes are often found in North California. These snakes can have a variety of colors and designs same as corn snakes. Garter Snakes live on toads, frogs and many other water-dwelling creatures. It means you can spot them commonly in the moist vegetation. Although they are not venomous when threatened, they can release a foul, musky smell towards targets.

5. Coachwhip:
Here is another thin and long common snake of North California that can whip its body with ease. These snakes are capable enough to move fat in forests, flatbeds, grassy dunes, and sandhills. Experts say that they live on eggs, mice, birds, lizards and small snakes.

6. Ringneck Snakes:
The secretive snakes are rarely spotted, but they are present in many areas of North California. They can have a variety of colors including green, brown, red, orange and black shades. You can identify Ringneck snakes from a ring type design on its neck. These snakes are observed to feed on worms, slugs, frogs, newts and other water-dwelling animals.

7. Hognose Snakes:
Hognose snakes are also named as False Puff Adder snakes, and they are known to have a life-threatening, scary appearance. Although these snakes rarely bite humans, it is good to maintain a great distance when this snake is spotted around.

Visit our Charlotte wildlife control home page to learn more about us.