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Diadophis punctatus

Found under surface cover in canyon bottoms or riparian habitat in southeastern Colorado, prairie ringnecks are identified by slate colored scales with an orange ring around the neck, and bellies vibrantly colored in red, yellow and orange. Ringnecks survive on a diet of earthworms, small frogs and lizards, and insects.

Liochlorophis vernalis blanchardii

The smooth green snake is a uniform grass green color. Found throughout the Western Slope, the smooth green snake is active during the day and feeds on insects, spiders, and other invertebrates.

Tantilla nigriceps

These small snakes can be found right here in Boulder. During their active months of April–September, they are found in moist soil under rocks, logs, and in dried cow dung in the foothills and grasslands.

Sonora semiannulata

Variable ground snakes are rather small. Their prey includes spiders, centipedes and scorpions. As their name suggests, their coloration varies between a uniform light tan/orange to red and black bands.

Heterodon nasicus

Hognose snakes have a unique defensive behavior known as “feigning death.” The hognose will roll onto its back, lie completely still, defecate, release a musk odor and hang its tongue out. Western Hognose Snakes have an upturned snout and keeled scales; each scale has a raised ridge, making them rough to the touch. Their saliva is toxic to prey, which includes toads, lizards, reptile eggs, small mammals, birds, and insects.

Thamnophis elegans

Western terrestrial garter snakes are found throughout Colorado, except the northeastern corner of the state. These medium-sized snakes can often be seen in the summer basking on the stonewall surrounding Varsity Pond on the CU Boulder campus.

Tropidoclonion lineatum

Lined snakes are small, secretive snakes who spend most of their time in canyon bottoms under rocks, logs, and debris with damp, loose soil. Their main prey are earthworms. Their bellies are white with two rows of black dots and their back scales are striped tan, green, and brown.

Crotalus viridis

Prairie rattlesnakes are venomous pit vipers found in a variety of habitats throughout Colorado. They are identified by their keeled scales, triangular-shaped head and a rattle or button on the end of their tail. Prairie rattlesnakes give birth to live young.

Pantherophis emoryi

Great Plains rat snakes are found in the southeast and west/central regions of Colorado. These snakes are found close to rivers, streams, and other permanent sources of water. Great Plains rat snakes are often found near rodent habitats, their prey of choice.

Hypsiglena torquata jani

Like the hognose snake, night snakes use their venomous saliva to subdue their prey. These small, secretive snakes are typically found in rough terrain under rocks during the day, or on the road at night. Night snakes are tan with dark areas on their backs and golden eyes.

Lampropeltis getula

The common kingsnake, despite its name, is not easily found in Colorado. It lives in remote areas of the southeast and southwest corners of state, and spends a great deal of time in burrows or underground. Kingsnakes prey upon rattlesnakes, as well as other snakes, lizards, rodents, and amphibians.

Pituophis catenifer deserticola

Thamnophis sirtalis

Pale stripes and red areas are characteristic of the common garter snake, found in flood plains and near streams in northern Colorado. These snakes are known to prey upon fish and amphibians.

Arizona elegans

Glossy snakes can be aggressive when confronted by humans, often striking and biting repeatedly. They eat lizards and small rodents found in plains grassland habitat and canyon bottoms in eastern Colorado. Shiny or “glossy” scales cover their bodies, typically 3 feet in length.

Pituophis catenifer sayi

The bullsnake, also known as the gopher snake, is one of the most widespread snakes in Colorado. They are also one of the largest, growing as large as 6 feet in length. Bullsnakes feed mostly on rodents and do not prey on rattlesnakes, which is a common misconception. Bullsnakes are amazing burrowers using their snout to dig and head and neck to scoop out soil.

Thamnophis cyrtopsis

Of the four species of garter snake found in Colorado, the blackneck garter snake is the least common. It can be found in a variety of habitats near permanent sources of water. Its range in Colorado is limited to the southern portion of the state.

Leptotyphlops dulcis

Texas blind snakes are secretive, burrowing snakes found in loose, damp soil under rocks in the southeastern corner of Colorado. Wormlike in appearance, these ant and termite eating snakes rarely grow larger than 12 inches in length.

Lampropeltis triangulum gentilis

The Central Plains milk snake is an opportunistic hunter, eating a wide variety of small vertebrates. Found throughout Colorado, they adapt well to areas where agricultural activity alters the landscape. Also called the pale milk snake, this species typically has black, orange/red and white bands or areas along its body.

Thamnophis proximus

The western ribbon snake has only been found in a small region in southeastern Colorado. These snakes have cream and olive colored stripes along their long, slender bodies.

Coluber constrictor flaviventris

Eastern yellow-bellied racers are active during daylight hours April – October. These fast snakes feed on a wide range of prey, from small amphibians and reptiles (including other snakes) to small rodents and birds. They are found throughout eastern Colorado and can be identified by their plain brown to olive green or teal color and yellow belly.

Coluber constrictor mormon

Western yellow-bellied racers are found in the northwest and west-central areas of Colorado. They are similar to eastern yellow-bellied racers but found west of the Rocky Mountains.

Nerodia sipedon

The only species of water snake in the state, northern water snakes are found in northeastern and southeastern Colorado. They have exceptional fishing skills and are found near permanent sources of water. In addition to fish, they will also eat crayfish and adult and larval amphibians. Northern water snakes are often mistaken for venomous cottonmouth snakes, which are not found in Colorado.

Masticophis taeniatus

The striped whipsnake got its name from its resemblance to leather whips and is found along the Western Slope. These long, sleek snakes feed primarily on lizards and other small vertebrates and insects.

Sistrurus catenatus

Western massasauga rattlesnakes are different from prairie rattlesnakes in their size and behavior. Massasauga rattlesnakes use their small rattle more like a scorpion tail, quickly jerking the rattle back and forth, and twitching their head in a quick, deliberate manner. They are found in dry sandy habitats where their rodent prey is easy to come by.

Rhinocheilus lecontei

Longnosed snakes are found in the southeastern corner of Colorado. They are most active at night and average 2-2.5 feet in length and, like bullsnakes, are excellent burrowers. They are speckled black, red, and cream colored with a long snout. They feed on lizards and their eggs, as well as small snakes and rodents.

Tantilla hobartsmithi

Named after the famous CU Herpetologist Hobart Smith, the southwestern black-headed snake, or Smith's black-headed snake, is another small, secretive snake that lives in western Colorado in canyon bottoms with sandy, rocky soil. They feast on centipedes, millipedes, beetle larvae and caterpillars.

Crotalus oreganus concolor

The midget faded rattlesnake is a subspecies of the western rattlesnake and found only in far west-central Colorado. They are smaller in size than prairie rattlesnakes but their venom is far more toxic.

Thamnophis radix

The Plains garter snake is distinguished from other garter snakes by the bright orange stripe running down the length of its body. They are found in eastern Colorado and along the Front Range near permanent or semi-permanent sources of water. In this photo, a Plains garter is eating a toad.