It is reassuring that the only poisonous snake in our region is the rattler. However, never approach any snake or touch it, always walk away from it. If bitten by a rattler, seek immediate medical attention. Click here to read all about rattle snakes.
Below is a collection of reports received from residents after we published snakes sightings in the local area. This information is meant as a precautionary note as well as an effort to preserve the harmless types, as they are good for our environment.
Amy, 7/9/14
I am assuming this is not a rattlesnake as there are no rattles on the tail. Does anyone know what kind of snake this is? I hate snakes!!!!
Mark Galanty, 7/17/2014 (Mark and his family are still the original owners of their Lachman home)
When I was growing up on upper Lachman we had a very large rattler in
the garage. Firehouse 69 came, killed it, and we and the fireman cooked it up.
It was actually very tasty. One of those unique memories of growing up in
Marquez.
Amy, 7/9/14
I am assuming this is not a rattlesnake as there are no rattles on the tail. Does anyone know what kind of snake this is? I hate snakes!!!!
Carol Sevilla, 5/22/13
The snakes in our area are all harmless except the rattlers. There's a local tri-colored snake that looks like a poisonous coral snake, but our local snake is actually a type of harmless kingsnake with its colors (red between black) in a different order (red between yellow) than the poisonous snake. Don't bother trying to remember the stripes. The poisonous one doesn't live here.
The snakes in our area are all harmless except the rattlers. There's a local tri-colored snake that looks like a poisonous coral snake, but our local snake is actually a type of harmless kingsnake with its colors (red between black) in a different order (red between yellow) than the poisonous snake. Don't bother trying to remember the stripes. The poisonous one doesn't live here.
Please also know that the baby rattlers are more dangerous than the adults because they tend to release all their venom at once. Not all rattlers have rattles, but they're all much uglier and dull looking than our other local snakes. Only the curious dogs need to worry about our rattlers.
harmless Kingsnake
Sonja Alper, 5/22/13
We found your "guest" in our backyard last year (on May 22, 2012, to be exact). She was trapped in some netting that had been discarded by our gardener. We called animal control because I wasn't able to see the end of the snake and not sure about it's kind. The officer came in no time and we freed it together and let it go on top of our hill (not far from your backyard). Glad she is happy and alive and enjoying our backyards and helping to keep them free of little unwanted critters. You're right, she seemed to be very shy and - if one can say that about snakes - she looked quite cute and lovely.
Harmless garden snake
Haldis Toppel, 5/22/13I came across a rather large snake near our driveway yesterday at lower Enchanted Way, about 4 ft long, which turns out to be harmless. It did not have rattlers on its tail so I was a bit relieved. I checked up on it on Google to find that it is rather common in the Southwest and it is NON-VENOMOUS, so please let it live if you or your gardener come across it. It feeds mostly on small rodents and insects and it therefore actually beneficial.You may not see it at all because it is mostly nocturnal and shy. Its common name is Faded Snake because of it somewhat faded color, or Glossy Snake, again its appearance. The formal name is Arizona elegans occidentalis. It can grow to 50 inches.
harmless Arizona elegans occidentalis
Linda White, 3/16/13
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This healthy Gopher snake was quite a sight yesterday when our neighbor found it as she gardened the patch between our houses. We loved seeing how healthy it looks and that it didn't have rattles on it's tail. We named it Donna since she lives on Donna Ynez.
Harmless Gopher snake
