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Get Rattled exists due to our love and respect of native reptilian wildlife!
As advocates for those that cannot speak for themselves we are proud to offer free relocation services in Northern Nevada
Snakes of Northern Nevada
Great basin gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola)
Great basin gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola)
Great basin gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola)
The Pituophis catenifer deserticola, commonly known as the Great Basin gopher snake, is a non-venomous colubrid native to the arid regions of the western United States.
This subspecies of gopher snake is known for its impressive mimicry of rattlesnakes—flattening its head, hissing loudly, and vibrating its tail when threatened—despite bei
The Pituophis catenifer deserticola, commonly known as the Great Basin gopher snake, is a non-venomous colubrid native to the arid regions of the western United States.
This subspecies of gopher snake is known for its impressive mimicry of rattlesnakes—flattening its head, hissing loudly, and vibrating its tail when threatened—despite being completely harmless to humans.
Typically tan or yellowish with dark brown blotches, it blends seamlessly into desert and sagebrush habitats.
An important part of the ecosystem, the gopher snake helps control rodent populations and is often encountered by hikers or homeowners during warmer months.
Nevada Does not have bullsnakes!
Great basin gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola)
Great basin gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola)
Contrary to popular belief (and that one guy on Facebook), Nevada doesn’t have bullsnakes—nope, not a one!
What we do have is the Great Basin gopher snake, a master of disguise who’s often mistaken for its more Midwestern cousin.
To find bullsnakes, you'll have to head east of the Rocky mountain range (the large pink section on the map ab
Contrary to popular belief (and that one guy on Facebook), Nevada doesn’t have bullsnakes—nope, not a one!
What we do have is the Great Basin gopher snake, a master of disguise who’s often mistaken for its more Midwestern cousin.
To find bullsnakes, you'll have to head east of the Rocky mountain range (the large pink section on the map above).
Bullsnakes and gopher snakes are not exactly the same, but they are closely related.
- Both are part of the same species: Pituophis catenifer (the gopher snake).
- Bullsnakes are a subspecies of gopher snake: Pituophis catenifer sayi.
- Great Basin gopher snakes (the ones we have in Nevada) are another subspecies: Pituophis catenifer deserticola.
So, it's kind of like calling every square a rectangle, but not every rectangle a square.
All bullsnakes are gopher snakes, but not all gopher snakes are bullsnakes.
In short: They’re cousins in the snake family tree—but bullsnakes are found more in the central U.S., and gopher snakes (like ours in Nevada) rule the West!
Great Basin Rattlesnake (Crotalus lutosus)
Great basin gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola)
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
Northern Nevada's ONLY venomous snake, The Crotalus lutosus, commonly known as the Great Basin Rattlesnake is a thick-bodied pit viper with a triangular head and narrow neck, it usually measures 26–48 in though most don’t exceed 3 ft 3 in, a fairly small rattlesnake when compared to other North American species.
Its base color ranges from
Northern Nevada's ONLY venomous snake, The Crotalus lutosus, commonly known as the Great Basin Rattlesnake is a thick-bodied pit viper with a triangular head and narrow neck, it usually measures 26–48 in though most don’t exceed 3 ft 3 in, a fairly small rattlesnake when compared to other North American species.
Its base color ranges from buff, tan, gray, or olive-brown, overlaid with 32–49 dark dorsal blotches featuring pale centers and borders., this snake is highly variable and color may change depending on location/surroundings.
Native to the Great Basin region—Nevada (excluding southern counties), western Utah, southern Idaho, eastern Oregon, northeastern California, and northwestern Arizona.
It occupies dry, rocky terrains including sagebrush steppe, old lake benches, hillsides, foothills, valley floors, alfalfa fields, and mountains up to ~10,000 ft
Venom is hemotoxic, and its bite is rarely fatal when treated. Primarily defensive, it rattles its tail and tries to escape before striking if further threatened.
Antivenom and timely medical care ensure low fatality rates.
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
The Lampropeltis californiae commonly known as the California Kingsnake is a non-venomous, highly adaptable snake found across California and much of the western U.S., including Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Oregon, and northern Mexico.
Known for its bold black-and-white (or brown-and-cream) banding, this striking snake thrives in deserts, woodl
The Lampropeltis californiae commonly known as the California Kingsnake is a non-venomous, highly adaptable snake found across California and much of the western U.S., including Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Oregon, and northern Mexico.
Known for its bold black-and-white (or brown-and-cream) banding, this striking snake thrives in deserts, woodlands, grasslands, and even suburban areas.
Despite its dramatic appearance, the California Kingsnake is harmless to humans—and extremely beneficial. It’s famous for eating other snakes, including venomous rattlesnakes, thanks to a natural resistance to their venom. Its diet also includes rodents, lizards, amphibians, birds, and eggs, making it a powerful ally in pest control.
Kingsnakes are typically 2.5–4 feet long (though some reach 6 feet), and they kill prey by constriction. When threatened, they may rattle their tail, hiss, or release a musky odor—but they’re not aggressive and bites are very rare.
They lay eggs in summer, with hatchlings emerging in late summer or early fall. Though commonly seen in the wild, they are also popular pets due to their beauty and calm demeanor. However, they should never be released into the wild, as this can disrupt local ecosystems.
The California Kingsnake is not endangered and remains one of the most iconic and beneficial snakes in the western U.S.
Red Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum piceus)
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
Red Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum piceus)
The Masticophis flagellum commonly known has the Coachwhip is a common snake of the US.
Ranging from California to Florida, and spilling into northern Mexico.
The red coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum piceus) is Nevada’s resident.
It’s one of the most recognisable subspecies, with a red body and black-white neck patches as adults. Younger
The Masticophis flagellum commonly known has the Coachwhip is a common snake of the US.
Ranging from California to Florida, and spilling into northern Mexico.
The red coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum piceus) is Nevada’s resident.
It’s one of the most recognisable subspecies, with a red body and black-white neck patches as adults. Younger coachwhips will still have a banded pattern which fades with age.
These snakes are fast, alert, and energetic. They will snap at you one minute, then vanish into undergrowth the next.
Red coachwhips inhabit a decent chunk of Nevada from Reno to Las Vegas but are not found in the Northeast parts of the state. They’re the only subspecies to inhabit Nevada, and are one of Nevada’s longest snakes.
Lizards form the bulk of their diet, and they’re famous for their high tolerance of scorching heat.
More Additions being added soon!
California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
Red Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum piceus)
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