Colorado Snakes
Blackneck Garter Snake (Thamnophis cyrtopsis)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: The snake is colored dark olive with an orange-yellow stripe that is displayed on the middle of the body from the top while the underside is usually a cream or light shade of gray. They get the name Blackneck Garter because of the black pattern on both sides of the neck.
Habitat: Found in south-eastern Colorado grasslands, lives near water. Rare species here in Colorado.
Size: Length up to 42 inches.
Diet: Hunts in rivers for small fish, amnphibians, other snakes, and invertebrates, such as earthworms.
Natural History: The least seen garter snake in Colorado. Active from March to October. Mating takes place in spring or early summer, with young being born in fall.
Habitat: Found in south-eastern Colorado grasslands, lives near water. Rare species here in Colorado.
Size: Length up to 42 inches.
Diet: Hunts in rivers for small fish, amnphibians, other snakes, and invertebrates, such as earthworms.
Natural History: The least seen garter snake in Colorado. Active from March to October. Mating takes place in spring or early summer, with young being born in fall.
Blind Snake (Leptotyphlops dulcis)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: The Blind Snake also known as the Thread Snake or Texas Thread Snake is a very small fossorial species, pinkish brown in color, shiny scales, non segmented two little black dots as eyes. Often mistaken as an earthworm. Smallest species of snake in the United States.
Habitat: Found in extreme SE Colorado. Blind Snakes spend most of their time buried in loose soil, emerging to feed. Blind Snakes can often be found on the crawl following spring rains.
Size: Less than 8 inches.
Diet: Primarily feeds on termite and ant larvae.
Natural History: Very secretive snake, hardest snake in Colorado to find. Rock flipping near drainages, walking around after spring rains may produce. Very squirmy, may try to poke you with the tail, doesn't hurt adaptation most likely used to confuse predators.
Habitat: Found in extreme SE Colorado. Blind Snakes spend most of their time buried in loose soil, emerging to feed. Blind Snakes can often be found on the crawl following spring rains.
Size: Less than 8 inches.
Diet: Primarily feeds on termite and ant larvae.
Natural History: Very secretive snake, hardest snake in Colorado to find. Rock flipping near drainages, walking around after spring rains may produce. Very squirmy, may try to poke you with the tail, doesn't hurt adaptation most likely used to confuse predators.
Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Base color yellowish, with reddish-brown to black blotches on back; belly cream with brown or black blotches. Boldly patterned tail is banded with black (dark brown) and tan.
Habitat: Grasslands, open woodlands and farmlands.
Size : Typical adult length: 127-183 cm (50-72 in); Maximum 88 inches (Collins & Collins 1993).
Diet: Constrictor, feeds on small mammals, birds, and eggs.
Natural History: One of the largest and most often seen snakes of Colorado. Bullsnakes may vibrate tail when threatemed, which may sound like a rattlesnake, also makes a hissing noise. For all their fierce display if handled gently they quickly become tame. Bullsnakes usually seize prey with their mouth and, if the prey is large, wrap several coils around them, and kill by constriction. Like many snakes they tend to hunt in the morning and evenings except at the hottest times of the summer when they are more active at night.
Habitat: Grasslands, open woodlands and farmlands.
Size : Typical adult length: 127-183 cm (50-72 in); Maximum 88 inches (Collins & Collins 1993).
Diet: Constrictor, feeds on small mammals, birds, and eggs.
Natural History: One of the largest and most often seen snakes of Colorado. Bullsnakes may vibrate tail when threatemed, which may sound like a rattlesnake, also makes a hissing noise. For all their fierce display if handled gently they quickly become tame. Bullsnakes usually seize prey with their mouth and, if the prey is large, wrap several coils around them, and kill by constriction. Like many snakes they tend to hunt in the morning and evenings except at the hottest times of the summer when they are more active at night.
Central Plains Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum gentilis)
Click Image for more photos.
Desription: Harmless. Smooth shiny scales. Body is white, cream or light gray covered with wide red blotches outlined in black; these same blotches are orange-red separated by a white, light gray or cream background color. Young are patterned like adults, but colors are brighter.
Habitat: Found under rocks , logs and artificial cover in forests, plains, woodland edge, pastures and rocky ledges; takes refuge beneath any available cover, particularly bark of rotten logs and other debris.
Size: Length up to 33 inches.
Diet: Constrictor, feeds on lizards, smaller snakes and small rodents.
Natural History: Active from March to October. Breeds in spring; lays from 3-24 eggs that hatch in July, August or September. Milksnakes have proved to be very diffucult to find. They spend so much time under cover, not only do you need to find there habitat you need to flip cover as well.
Habitat: Found under rocks , logs and artificial cover in forests, plains, woodland edge, pastures and rocky ledges; takes refuge beneath any available cover, particularly bark of rotten logs and other debris.
Size: Length up to 33 inches.
Diet: Constrictor, feeds on lizards, smaller snakes and small rodents.
Natural History: Active from March to October. Breeds in spring; lays from 3-24 eggs that hatch in July, August or September. Milksnakes have proved to be very diffucult to find. They spend so much time under cover, not only do you need to find there habitat you need to flip cover as well.
Coachwhip (Coluber flagellum)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Harmless. Smooth scales; yellowish brown color on the rear part of the slender body; body scales have braided appearance. Two distinct color variants: may be uniform light yellowish brown along entire length of body or burgandy. Young are yellowish brown with dark brown crossbands on front of body that fade and disappear on rear. Belly white, with two rows of dark spots on front half. The Coachwhip scales look like a braided whip, hence it's name.
Habitat: Found in open grassland prairies in southeastern Colorado.
Size: Length up to 70 inches.
Diet: Feeds on bats, mice, birds, lizards and smaller snakes.
Natural History: Active from April to October; completely diurnal, even during the hottest hours of day. Lays 4-11 eggs in summer which hatch in fall. Feeds on bats, mice, birds, lizards and smaller snakes. Very fast.
Habitat: Found in open grassland prairies in southeastern Colorado.
Size: Length up to 70 inches.
Diet: Feeds on bats, mice, birds, lizards and smaller snakes.
Natural History: Active from April to October; completely diurnal, even during the hottest hours of day. Lays 4-11 eggs in summer which hatch in fall. Feeds on bats, mice, birds, lizards and smaller snakes. Very fast.
Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Harmless. Keeled scales. Three yellow body stripes, those on each side of body situated on second and third scale rows (counting from belly up); pattern of black spots on a red background between the stripes on the back. Belly is white, greenish or gray, with a row of small dark spots along edges. Young look like miniature adults.
Habitat: Found in a wide variety of habitats, including marshes and wet meadows, margins of ponds, woodland and woodland edge, floodplains and cultivated fields; prefers areas with moderately moist vegetation.
Size: Length up to 44 inches.
Diet: Feeds mainly on frogs and earthworms; occasionally eats toads, small mice and other small snakes.
Natural History: Named Common Garter not all that common in Colorado this species we encounter way less than the other species of garter snakes except for Blackneck Garters. Active from March to November. Young born in late summer or fall; litters are large, varying from 4-85. Also known as the Red-sided Garter Snake.
Habitat: Found in a wide variety of habitats, including marshes and wet meadows, margins of ponds, woodland and woodland edge, floodplains and cultivated fields; prefers areas with moderately moist vegetation.
Size: Length up to 44 inches.
Diet: Feeds mainly on frogs and earthworms; occasionally eats toads, small mice and other small snakes.
Natural History: Named Common Garter not all that common in Colorado this species we encounter way less than the other species of garter snakes except for Blackneck Garters. Active from March to November. Young born in late summer or fall; litters are large, varying from 4-85. Also known as the Red-sided Garter Snake.
Common Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula holbrooki/splendida) Speckled Kingsnake
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Harmless. Smooth scales; belly yellow and irregularly patterned with black; black head, body and tail profusely speckled with small yellow, cream or white spots. Yellow speckling on back may fuse to form narrow bars. Young generally same as adults, but yellow speckles nearly always fused to form bars on back.
Habitat: Found in south-eastern Colorado plains and grasslands.
Size: Length up to 49 inches.
Natural History: Inhabits open prairie; frequents rocky ledges on hillsides and small mammal burrows in open areas. Active from April to October, primarily during day; nocturnal in summer. Eggs in clutches of 2-17 and generally hatch in fall. Constrictor. Diet includes rodents, small birds, eggs (bird and reptile), lizards and other snakes.
Habitat: Found in south-eastern Colorado plains and grasslands.
Size: Length up to 49 inches.
Natural History: Inhabits open prairie; frequents rocky ledges on hillsides and small mammal burrows in open areas. Active from April to October, primarily during day; nocturnal in summer. Eggs in clutches of 2-17 and generally hatch in fall. Constrictor. Diet includes rodents, small birds, eggs (bird and reptile), lizards and other snakes.
Glossy Snake (Arizona elegans)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Harmless. Smooth scales. As its name implies, this snake has an overall glossy appearance. Its body displays 39–69 dark gray or brown, black-edged blotches on a light gray ground color and sports a white belly. A dark line extends from the angle of the jaw through the eye on each side of the head. Young look like small adults.
Habitat: Generally found in south-eastern Colorado in grasslands with sand and loose soil.
Size: Length up to 46 inches.
Natural History: Active at night from April to October; during the day it prefers to retreat beneath rocks or into burrows to escape heat and predators. Breeding occurs from May to July; an average of eight eggs are laid per clutch. Constrictor. Feeds on lizards and small rodents.
Habitat: Generally found in south-eastern Colorado in grasslands with sand and loose soil.
Size: Length up to 46 inches.
Natural History: Active at night from April to October; during the day it prefers to retreat beneath rocks or into burrows to escape heat and predators. Breeding occurs from May to July; an average of eight eggs are laid per clutch. Constrictor. Feeds on lizards and small rodents.
Great Basin Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola) Westslope
Description: The Great Basin gopher snake has dorsal spots that are dark brown or black, and they are connected to each other by very narrow lines that run along each side of the anterior part of the body. On each side of the neck there usually is a dark longitudinal stripe that is surrounded by some lighter coloring, which eventually breaks up towards the posterior end of the snake and turns into dashes or small spots. The body scales are keeled, and the head has a pointed shape. The underbelly has a creamy color with small, dark, irregular blotches.
Habitat: Found throughout the West Slope in all habitat types.
Size: Adult Average size 4.5 feet.
Diet: Insects, Lizards, Birds, Eggs, Small Mammals
Natural History: Great climbers, swimmers and burrower. When defending themselves from predators, they will elevate and inflate the body, and flatten the head into a triangular shape. Hissing loudly, along with shaking of the tail, mimicking the sound of a deadly rattlesnake. Eggs laid from June - August average clutch size 7 can range from 3 - 24 eggs. Hatchlings emerge August - September average size 12 -18 inches.
Habitat: Found throughout the West Slope in all habitat types.
Size: Adult Average size 4.5 feet.
Diet: Insects, Lizards, Birds, Eggs, Small Mammals
Natural History: Great climbers, swimmers and burrower. When defending themselves from predators, they will elevate and inflate the body, and flatten the head into a triangular shape. Hissing loudly, along with shaking of the tail, mimicking the sound of a deadly rattlesnake. Eggs laid from June - August average clutch size 7 can range from 3 - 24 eggs. Hatchlings emerge August - September average size 12 -18 inches.
Great Plains Rat Snake (Pantherophis emoryi)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Light grey with darker outlined blotches down it's back, and stripes on both sides of the head that form a point between the eyes. Square shaped, dark colored marks on the belly make it easy to identify.
Habitat: Found in south eastern, and west central Colorado usually at elevations below 6000 feet. Rat snakes prefer the grasslands, and lightly wooded forests, sometimes found on ranches and farmland.
Size: Length up to 49 inches.
Diet: Constrictor feeding mainly on rodents.
Natural History: Great Plains Rat Snakes are primarily nocturnal, active on the ground but will climb, they like to stay close to permanent water sources. Females are thought to lay eggs in July and hatch 2 months later.
Habitat: Found in south eastern, and west central Colorado usually at elevations below 6000 feet. Rat snakes prefer the grasslands, and lightly wooded forests, sometimes found on ranches and farmland.
Size: Length up to 49 inches.
Diet: Constrictor feeding mainly on rodents.
Natural History: Great Plains Rat Snakes are primarily nocturnal, active on the ground but will climb, they like to stay close to permanent water sources. Females are thought to lay eggs in July and hatch 2 months later.
Ground Snake (Sonora semiannulata)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Harmless. Smooth scales. A variably patterned snake; some are a uniform gray or reddish-brown while others may have from 1–25 black crossbands. Belly cream or white. Young are miniature adults with equally variable pattern, but are more brightly colored.
Habitat: Generally found in south-eastern Colorado grasslands with sand and loose soil. In spring and fall prefer cover during the day.
Size: length up to 14 inches.
Natural History: Active from April to September; prefers to stay beneath flat rocks and in earth cracks on rugged hillsides; may be nocturnal. Breeding occurs in May or June; from 4-6 eggs are laid in late June or July. Never bites. Feeds on spiders, scorpions, centipedes and various insects.
Habitat: Generally found in south-eastern Colorado grasslands with sand and loose soil. In spring and fall prefer cover during the day.
Size: length up to 14 inches.
Natural History: Active from April to September; prefers to stay beneath flat rocks and in earth cracks on rugged hillsides; may be nocturnal. Breeding occurs in May or June; from 4-6 eggs are laid in late June or July. Never bites. Feeds on spiders, scorpions, centipedes and various insects.
Lined Snake (Tropidoclonium lineatum)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Harmless. Rough scales. A small reptile, often mistaken for a Garter Snake because it has three dorsal stripes down the body. Unlike Garter Snakes, the Lined Snake has a double row of black spots down the middle of the belly looks like half moons. Young look like tiny adults.
Habitat: Mostly found beneath rocks or debris on the hillsides of open prairies and woodland edge.
Size: Length up to 17 inches.
Diet: Feeds on earthworms.
Natural History: Active from April to October. Breeding occurs in both spring and fall; from 2-12 young are born in August.
Habitat: Mostly found beneath rocks or debris on the hillsides of open prairies and woodland edge.
Size: Length up to 17 inches.
Diet: Feeds on earthworms.
Natural History: Active from April to October. Breeding occurs in both spring and fall; from 2-12 young are born in August.
Longnose Snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Harmless. Smooth scales. Upper surface of body yellowish-cream with 18–35 black blotches separated by pink or reddish interspaces; white, unpatterned belly. At least half the scales on underside of tail not divided into two rows. Young look like little adults.
Habitat: Prefers open prairies, sandy regions and beneath rocks on the slopes of rugged canyons.
Size: Length up to 34 inches.
Diet: Constrictor, feeds on insects, lizards, smaller snakes and small rodents.
Natural History: Nocturnal, active from April to September; prefers open prairies, sandy regions and beneath rocks on the slopes of rugged canyons. Breeding occurs in spring; from 4-9 eggs are laid in June and hatch in Aug/Sept.
Habitat: Prefers open prairies, sandy regions and beneath rocks on the slopes of rugged canyons.
Size: Length up to 34 inches.
Diet: Constrictor, feeds on insects, lizards, smaller snakes and small rodents.
Natural History: Nocturnal, active from April to September; prefers open prairies, sandy regions and beneath rocks on the slopes of rugged canyons. Breeding occurs in spring; from 4-9 eggs are laid in June and hatch in Aug/Sept.
Massasauga (Sistrurus Catenatus) Venomous
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Small Rattlesnake ranging from 18 - 30 inches. Usually grey or tan in color, pattern consists of a row of large rounded brown/black blotches down the middle of it's back, with 3 smaller rows of alternating blotches down it's side.
Habitat: Sandy , Sage Brush, Grasslands
Size: Length up to 30 inches.
Diet: Pit Viper feeds on mammals, lizards, snakes, frogs, toads and invertebrates such as centipedes.
Natural History: Protected species of concern. Generally shy species, avoids human contact. Keeled scales with a single anal scale. When confronted Massasauga's hold up and twitch their head. Very different behavior than the Prairie rattlesnake. Easy to distinguish based on behavior.
Habitat: Sandy , Sage Brush, Grasslands
Size: Length up to 30 inches.
Diet: Pit Viper feeds on mammals, lizards, snakes, frogs, toads and invertebrates such as centipedes.
Natural History: Protected species of concern. Generally shy species, avoids human contact. Keeled scales with a single anal scale. When confronted Massasauga's hold up and twitch their head. Very different behavior than the Prairie rattlesnake. Easy to distinguish based on behavior.
Midget Faded Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus concolor) Venomous Westslope Venomous
Description: The color pattern consists of a pinkish, pale brown, yellow-brown, straw-colored, reddish or yellow-brown ground color, overlaid with a series of brown elliptical or rectangular dorsal blotches. However, most specimens are
gray or silvery. In juveniles the pattern is distinct, but becomes faded in adults, almost to the point where it is indistinguishable from the ground color.
Habitat: Westslope of Colorado in rocky outcrops.
Size: Length up to 29½ inches
Diet: Lizards, rodents and small mammals.
Natural History: Little is known about this species, lots of debate regarding hybrids, ongoing genetic testing will sort out a lot. This subspecies possesses the most toxic venom of the C. oreganus / C.viridis group, although there is apparently considerable variability among local populations. It is even one of the most potent venoms found in North America , It is characterized by the presence of a presynaptic neurotoxin, referred to as concolor toxin, the amount of which varies in individual snakes. Species is in need of conservation.
gray or silvery. In juveniles the pattern is distinct, but becomes faded in adults, almost to the point where it is indistinguishable from the ground color.
Habitat: Westslope of Colorado in rocky outcrops.
Size: Length up to 29½ inches
Diet: Lizards, rodents and small mammals.
Natural History: Little is known about this species, lots of debate regarding hybrids, ongoing genetic testing will sort out a lot. This subspecies possesses the most toxic venom of the C. oreganus / C.viridis group, although there is apparently considerable variability among local populations. It is even one of the most potent venoms found in North America , It is characterized by the presence of a presynaptic neurotoxin, referred to as concolor toxin, the amount of which varies in individual snakes. Species is in need of conservation.
Night Snake (Hypsiglena torquata janii)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Harmless. Smooth scales; body and tail are gray or grayish-yellow with 50–70 dark brown blotches on back; head is gray or brown with three large elongate dark brown blotches on neck. Only harmless serpent in Colorado with pupils that are vertically slit when exposed to light. Young are like adults.
Habitat: Found in south-eastern Colorado grasslands and prairie.
Size: Length up to 16 inches.
Natural History: A small, secretive snake most often found beneath rocks on rugged hillsides between May and September. Breeding occurs in May and may continue during warm weather until fall; up to 5-6 eggs are laid which hatch in a month or so. Feeds primarily on small lizards and snakes. Never bites. When touched, may curl into a tight cone with its head tucked in the middle for protection.
Habitat: Found in south-eastern Colorado grasslands and prairie.
Size: Length up to 16 inches.
Natural History: A small, secretive snake most often found beneath rocks on rugged hillsides between May and September. Breeding occurs in May and may continue during warm weather until fall; up to 5-6 eggs are laid which hatch in a month or so. Feeds primarily on small lizards and snakes. Never bites. When touched, may curl into a tight cone with its head tucked in the middle for protection.
Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Northern Water Snakes vary in color from brown, grey, reddish to black. Usually have dark cross bands on there neck and blotches on there bodies. Heavy bodied, keeled scales, underside lighter in color. Darken with age.
Habitat: They live near lakes, ponds, marshes, rivers, and canals and like to hide in branches, piles of sticks, reeds. They can be found basking on shore, rocks or in low branches above the water. They forage in reeds, and plants along side the bank.
Size: Length up to 53 inches
Diet: Fish, Frogs, Tadpoles, Crayfish, Birds, Mammals, Worms, Leeches
Natural History: Northern water snakes are active during the day and night. They mate from April - June, they are live-bearers giving birth to as many as 30 young at a time, between August and October. When provoked they will bite repeatedly, and release a foul smelling musk. Northern water snakes will defend themselves vigorously. The Northern water snake is the only species of water snake in Colorado.
Habitat: They live near lakes, ponds, marshes, rivers, and canals and like to hide in branches, piles of sticks, reeds. They can be found basking on shore, rocks or in low branches above the water. They forage in reeds, and plants along side the bank.
Size: Length up to 53 inches
Diet: Fish, Frogs, Tadpoles, Crayfish, Birds, Mammals, Worms, Leeches
Natural History: Northern water snakes are active during the day and night. They mate from April - June, they are live-bearers giving birth to as many as 30 young at a time, between August and October. When provoked they will bite repeatedly, and release a foul smelling musk. Northern water snakes will defend themselves vigorously. The Northern water snake is the only species of water snake in Colorado.
Plains Blackhead Snake (Tantilla nigriceps)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Harmless. Scales smooth. Head much darker than body. Body and tail overall light yellowish-brown with pink or coral belly. Seven scales on each upper lip. Young same as adults.
Habitat: Found throughout eastern slope of Colorado in grassland and plains.
Size: Length up to 14 inches.
Diet: Centipedes
Natural History: Found on prairie hillsides, always under rocks; be sure to check flat debris such as boards and sheet metal (sometimes cow patties). Likely nocturnal. Very secretive; rarely seen in open. Burrows to great depths beneath the ground during cold weather. Never bites. Lays a clutch of eggs in spring or early summer with young hatching in fall. Eats small invertebrates such as centipedes and probably insects and their larvae.
Habitat: Found throughout eastern slope of Colorado in grassland and plains.
Size: Length up to 14 inches.
Diet: Centipedes
Natural History: Found on prairie hillsides, always under rocks; be sure to check flat debris such as boards and sheet metal (sometimes cow patties). Likely nocturnal. Very secretive; rarely seen in open. Burrows to great depths beneath the ground during cold weather. Never bites. Lays a clutch of eggs in spring or early summer with young hatching in fall. Eats small invertebrates such as centipedes and probably insects and their larvae.
Plains Garter Snake (Thamnophis radix)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Harmless. Keeled scales; single stripe down middle of back and one on each side of body situated on third and fourth scale rows (counting from belly up); dark vertical bars on upper lips; alternating rows of black spots between stripes on body. Stripe running down middle of back may be bright yellow or orange; stripes on sides are normally yellow. Belly is white, grayish or greenish, with a row of black spots down each side.
Habitat: Prefers open grassy prairies, particularly along edges of streams, marshes and lakes.
Diet: Feeds on earthworms, toads, frogs, salamanders, fishes and small rodents.
Size: Length up to 40 inches
Natural History: Normally active from March to November; usually active during the day. Litters range in number from 5-60, born during late July, August or September.
Habitat: Prefers open grassy prairies, particularly along edges of streams, marshes and lakes.
Diet: Feeds on earthworms, toads, frogs, salamanders, fishes and small rodents.
Size: Length up to 40 inches
Natural History: Normally active from March to November; usually active during the day. Litters range in number from 5-60, born during late July, August or September.
Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) Venomous
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Pit on each side of head between and slightly below the eye and nostril; large rattle on tail; small scales covering most of top of head with one large scale over each eye; pattern of 30–55 dark gray or brown blotches on the back; dark bands on the tail. Head, body and tail are greenish gray to brown; tail bands similar in color to body blotches. Belly grayish or white. Young look like miniature adults.
Habitat: Prefers rocky canyons and open prairies with an abundance of small mammal burrows. Suns on southfacing hillsides with large rocks in spring and fall; roams open prairies in summer, when it is often nocturnal.
Diet: Feeds on lizards, rats, mice, gophers and young prairie dogs.
Size: Length up to 56 inches
Natural History: Females produce litters every other year; 5-18 young per litter, born in spring, summer or fall. Prairie rattlesnakes are very common found over most of Colorado with an elevation range up to 9500 feet.
Habitat: Prefers rocky canyons and open prairies with an abundance of small mammal burrows. Suns on southfacing hillsides with large rocks in spring and fall; roams open prairies in summer, when it is often nocturnal.
Diet: Feeds on lizards, rats, mice, gophers and young prairie dogs.
Size: Length up to 56 inches
Natural History: Females produce litters every other year; 5-18 young per litter, born in spring, summer or fall. Prairie rattlesnakes are very common found over most of Colorado with an elevation range up to 9500 feet.
Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Color varies slate grey, olive, brown, bluish grey with a yellow to orange ring around the neck. Beautiful orange, red, yellow posterior with black spots and red to orange tail section. Head is usually darker than the body. Small slender snake.
Habitat: Found in SE Colorado. Ringneck snakes can be found in areas with abundant cover, they prefer moist soil.
Diet: Worms, slugs, frogs, lizards and smaller snakes. Combination of constriction and envenomation to secure prey.
Size: Length up to 16.5 inches.
Natural History: Ringneck snakes coil their tail and display the red coloration as a defense mechanism to ward off predators, also feigning death. Very secretive nocturnal species rarely seen during the day. Ringnecks have rear enlarged teeth with mild venom, little threat to humans. Breeding occurs in the spring laying eggs under rocks or logs in loose soil early summer, hatching August or September. Flipping rocks in spring seems to be a productive method of finding Ringnecks.
Habitat: Found in SE Colorado. Ringneck snakes can be found in areas with abundant cover, they prefer moist soil.
Diet: Worms, slugs, frogs, lizards and smaller snakes. Combination of constriction and envenomation to secure prey.
Size: Length up to 16.5 inches.
Natural History: Ringneck snakes coil their tail and display the red coloration as a defense mechanism to ward off predators, also feigning death. Very secretive nocturnal species rarely seen during the day. Ringnecks have rear enlarged teeth with mild venom, little threat to humans. Breeding occurs in the spring laying eggs under rocks or logs in loose soil early summer, hatching August or September. Flipping rocks in spring seems to be a productive method of finding Ringnecks.
Smooth Green Snake (Opheodrys vernalis)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Small slender green snake. Hints of yellow separating green top from creme colored posterior. Smooth dorsal scales.
Habitat: Spotty distribution in Colorado. It is found in marshes, meadows, open woods, and along stream edges prefers riparian habitat.
Diet: Mostly feeds on insects and spiders.
Size: Length from 14 - 20 inches.
Natural History: Green snakes gape as a defensive posture, sitting still with their mouth open. Spends most of the time on the ground, but will hang out in shrubs. Usually found near permanent water at elevation, prefers moist habitat with vegetation for disguise. Likes to bask in the sun near rocks and logs. Active both night and day during the warmer months. Mating occurs in late spring, 4-6 eggs laid per clutch usually lay 2 clutches from late June to September. Eggs hatch 1 - 3 weeks after being laid.
Habitat: Spotty distribution in Colorado. It is found in marshes, meadows, open woods, and along stream edges prefers riparian habitat.
Diet: Mostly feeds on insects and spiders.
Size: Length from 14 - 20 inches.
Natural History: Green snakes gape as a defensive posture, sitting still with their mouth open. Spends most of the time on the ground, but will hang out in shrubs. Usually found near permanent water at elevation, prefers moist habitat with vegetation for disguise. Likes to bask in the sun near rocks and logs. Active both night and day during the warmer months. Mating occurs in late spring, 4-6 eggs laid per clutch usually lay 2 clutches from late June to September. Eggs hatch 1 - 3 weeks after being laid.
Southwestern Blackhead Snake (Tantilla hobartsmithi) Westslope
Description: Harmless. Scales smooth. Head much darker than body. Body and tail overall light brown with pink or coral belly. Young same as adults.
Habitat: Found on the western slope of Colorado.
Size: Length up to 15 inches average 8 inches.
Diet: Centipedes and soft bodied insects.
Natural History: Fossorial, always under rocks; be sure to check flat debris such as boards and sheet metal (sometimes cow patties). Likely nocturnal. Very secretive; rarely seen in open. Burrows to great depths beneath the ground during cold weather. Lays a clutch of eggs in spring or early summer with young hatching in fall. Eats small invertebrates such as centipedes and probably insects and their larvae.
Habitat: Found on the western slope of Colorado.
Size: Length up to 15 inches average 8 inches.
Diet: Centipedes and soft bodied insects.
Natural History: Fossorial, always under rocks; be sure to check flat debris such as boards and sheet metal (sometimes cow patties). Likely nocturnal. Very secretive; rarely seen in open. Burrows to great depths beneath the ground during cold weather. Lays a clutch of eggs in spring or early summer with young hatching in fall. Eats small invertebrates such as centipedes and probably insects and their larvae.
Striped Whipsnake (Coluber taeniatus) Westslope
Description: Harmless. This snake exhibits black, dark brown, or gray coloration on its back. Across each of the first four dorsal scales rows, it often has an olive or bluish tint. There is a white to cream-colored stripe down its side that is bisected by either a solid or dashed black line. The coloring on the snake's belly tends to be cream to yellowish, fading to white toward the head, and coral pink toward the tail. This snake also features a lower preocular between the upper labial scales of the mouth, and the anal scale is divided.
Habitat: Found on the Western Slope of Colorado The Striped Whipsnake is commonly found in a wide variety of habitats including shrub lands, grasslands, sagebrush flats, canyons, piñon-juniper woodlands, and open
pine-oak forests. They are attracted to both permanent and seasonal rocky streams, and they frequent both flatlands and mountains.
Size: The Striped Whipsnake is approximately 30-72 inches
Diet: Lizards, other snakes, small mammals, young birds, frogs and insects.
Natural History: This species is diurnal, active during the day, and is very alert and fast moving. They seek shelter in rock outcrops, small mammal burrows, as well as in trees and shrubs. they lay 3-12 eggs, between the months of June and July, usually in an abandoned rodent burrow incubation is between 44-58 days.
Habitat: Found on the Western Slope of Colorado The Striped Whipsnake is commonly found in a wide variety of habitats including shrub lands, grasslands, sagebrush flats, canyons, piñon-juniper woodlands, and open
pine-oak forests. They are attracted to both permanent and seasonal rocky streams, and they frequent both flatlands and mountains.
Size: The Striped Whipsnake is approximately 30-72 inches
Diet: Lizards, other snakes, small mammals, young birds, frogs and insects.
Natural History: This species is diurnal, active during the day, and is very alert and fast moving. They seek shelter in rock outcrops, small mammal burrows, as well as in trees and shrubs. they lay 3-12 eggs, between the months of June and July, usually in an abandoned rodent burrow incubation is between 44-58 days.
Western Hognose (Heterodon nasicus)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: This squat, heavy-bodied snake
reaches a maximum length of 3 feet (90 cm), but 2 feet (60 cm) is more
typical. Most noticeable on the western hognose snake is the strongly
upturned, pointed snout. Dark blotches extend down the pale brown or
yellowish back from behind the head to the tail, with 2 rows of smaller,
alternating blotches on the sides. The belly is heavily pigmented, with
solid black pigmentation underneath the tail.
Habitat: This snake prefers scrubby, flat prairie areas with loose, sandy soil suitable for burrowing.
Diet: Feeds on anything it can swallow from toads to rodents. Prefers frogs and toads.
Size: Length up to 36 inches however 24 inches is more typical. Females usually larger than males.
Natural History: The western hognose snake uses its upturned snout to burrow through the earth in search of toads, its principal food. Other items eaten include frogs, lizards, mice, birds, snakes and reptile eggs. Not dangerous to man, the western hognose snake uses a slightly toxic saliva to help subdue its prey. The venom flows down enlarged rear teeth. As many as 39 eggs are laid in the early summer, hatching in as little as 50 days. If threatened Hognose snakes either bluff, hiss, open mouth and act tough or they roll over and play dead. This is Ryan's favorite species.
Habitat: This snake prefers scrubby, flat prairie areas with loose, sandy soil suitable for burrowing.
Diet: Feeds on anything it can swallow from toads to rodents. Prefers frogs and toads.
Size: Length up to 36 inches however 24 inches is more typical. Females usually larger than males.
Natural History: The western hognose snake uses its upturned snout to burrow through the earth in search of toads, its principal food. Other items eaten include frogs, lizards, mice, birds, snakes and reptile eggs. Not dangerous to man, the western hognose snake uses a slightly toxic saliva to help subdue its prey. The venom flows down enlarged rear teeth. As many as 39 eggs are laid in the early summer, hatching in as little as 50 days. If threatened Hognose snakes either bluff, hiss, open mouth and act tough or they roll over and play dead. This is Ryan's favorite species.
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Color brown to gray; gray and light tan checkerboard pattern conspicuous in juveniles, darkens and becomes obscure with age. Light stripe down sides of body, becomes less prominent with age. Prominent light stripe down back on individuals from southeastern Colorado; stripe faint or absent elsewhere. Moderately slender body; keeled scales. Single anal plate.
Habitat: Found in a wide variety of habitats, including marshes and wet meadows, margins of ponds, woodland and woodland edge, floodplains and cultivated fields; prefers areas with moderately moist vegetation.
Diet: Feeds on earthworms, toads, frogs, salamanders, fishes and small rodents.
Size: Adults 24" to 42" in length.
Natural History: Normally active from March to November; usually active during the day. Litters range in number from 5-60, born during late July, August or September. Usually below 11,000', but has been found at 13,100' in San Miguel County, southwest Colorado. Also known as Wandering Garter Snake.
Habitat: Found in a wide variety of habitats, including marshes and wet meadows, margins of ponds, woodland and woodland edge, floodplains and cultivated fields; prefers areas with moderately moist vegetation.
Diet: Feeds on earthworms, toads, frogs, salamanders, fishes and small rodents.
Size: Adults 24" to 42" in length.
Natural History: Normally active from March to November; usually active during the day. Litters range in number from 5-60, born during late July, August or September. Usually below 11,000', but has been found at 13,100' in San Miguel County, southwest Colorado. Also known as Wandering Garter Snake.
Yellow Bellied Racer - Eastern (Coluber constrictor flaviventris)
Click Image for more photos.
Description: Harmless. Smooth scales; uniform cream or yellow belly with no pattern. Upper body of adults uniform blue-gray, greenish blue or brown. Young have a pattern of large, light-edged blotches on back alternating with smaller spots on sides; pattern distinct on front half of body, but fades toward the rear. Young also have scattered dark speckles on the belly. As they grow older, the young lose all patterns and attain uniform appearance of adults.
Habitat: Open grassland, pasture and prairie during summer; generally found on rocky wooded hillsides in spring and fall.
Size: Length up to 55 inches.
Diet: Feeds on insects, frogs, lizards, other snakes, birds, bird eggs and small mammals.
Natural History: Spends day basking in sun or gliding over ground in search of food; average home range of 25 acres but not territorial. Five to 31 eggs per clutch, laid in June or July; incubation takes 2–3 months.
Habitat: Open grassland, pasture and prairie during summer; generally found on rocky wooded hillsides in spring and fall.
Size: Length up to 55 inches.
Diet: Feeds on insects, frogs, lizards, other snakes, birds, bird eggs and small mammals.
Natural History: Spends day basking in sun or gliding over ground in search of food; average home range of 25 acres but not territorial. Five to 31 eggs per clutch, laid in June or July; incubation takes 2–3 months.
Yellow Bellied Racer - Western (Coluber constrictor mormon) Westslope
Description: Harmless. Smooth scales; uniform cream or yellow belly with no pattern. Upper body
of adults uniform blue-gray, greenish blue or brown. Young have a pattern of large, light-edged blotches on back alternating with smaller spots on their sides; pattern distinct on front half of body, but fades toward the
rear. Young also have scattered dark speckles on the belly. As they grow older, the young lose all patterns and attain uniform appearance of adults.
Habitat: Open grassland, pasture and prairie during summer; generally found on
rocky wooded hillsides in spring and fall.
Size: Length up to 55 inches.
Diet: Feeds on insects, frogs, lizards, other snakes, birds, bird eggs and small mammals.
Natural History: Spends day basking in sun or gliding over ground in search of food; average home range of 25 acres but not territorial. Five to 31 eggs per clutch, laid in June or July; incubation takes 2–3 months.
of adults uniform blue-gray, greenish blue or brown. Young have a pattern of large, light-edged blotches on back alternating with smaller spots on their sides; pattern distinct on front half of body, but fades toward the
rear. Young also have scattered dark speckles on the belly. As they grow older, the young lose all patterns and attain uniform appearance of adults.
Habitat: Open grassland, pasture and prairie during summer; generally found on
rocky wooded hillsides in spring and fall.
Size: Length up to 55 inches.
Diet: Feeds on insects, frogs, lizards, other snakes, birds, bird eggs and small mammals.
Natural History: Spends day basking in sun or gliding over ground in search of food; average home range of 25 acres but not territorial. Five to 31 eggs per clutch, laid in June or July; incubation takes 2–3 months.