Discover 11 Snakes Lurking In and Around the Sacramento River

Key Points

• Northern Pacific rattlesnakes are the one venomous snakes alongside the Sacramento River.
• The Sacramento River flows for 400 miles from the Klamath Mountains to San Francisco Bay.
• California has over 50 native snake species, and at the least a dozen species happen alongside the Sacramento River. 

The Sacramento River is the primary river in northern California, flowing from the Klamath Mountains to San Francisco Bay. Its 400-mile course and most tributaries are closely modified with a number of dams. They present hydroelectric energy and water to the encompassing areas. 

Although the fish inhabitants has modified dramatically and salmon runs are not as prolific, many animals nonetheless stay across the Sacramento River. Snakes are an important a part of the atmosphere and do greater than most species to maintain the rodent inhabitants in stability. Yes, they could be creepy or terrifying to some, however let’s discover! Here are a number of of the extra widespread snakes discovered across the Sacramento River. 

Western Yellow-Bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor mormon)

These fast-moving snakes are lengthy and slender snakes which might be most energetic throughout the day. Using their glorious imaginative and prescient, they observe prey by way of grasslands, open forests, and scrubland. Western yellow-bellied racers can transfer at about 4 miles per hour, presumably sooner at a dash. Although that doesn’t sound very quick, that pace ensures they will catch their prey with relative ease. 

Western yellow-bellied racers are a subspecies of North American racer, which is extra of a catch-all for the varied racers across the continent. Their predominant variations embody location and grownup coloration — habits and habits are a lot the identical. 

Racers are generalists and eat absolutely anything they will overpower — rats, mice, bugs, lizards, and generally different snakes. They are nonvenomous helpers that may chew repeatedly when cornered.

California Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata)

One of a number of kingsnake species in California, the California mountain kingsnake is likely one of the prettiest. Its purple, black, and white bands are strikingly lovely sights when you find yourself out searching for reptiles. Kingsnakes, like all snakes which have “king” of their title, often eat different snakes — together with venomous rattlesnakes. They additionally eat a wide range of small animals, together with rats, mice, rabbits, and doubtless squirrels. 

Although California mountain kingsnakes can stand up to 6 ft lengthy, most people you encounter shall be within the two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half-foot vary. 

California Kingsnake (Lapmropeltis californiae)

This species is normally black with slender white bands, however they’re extraordinarily variable. Wild-caught California kingsnakes will be strong black, albino, leucistic, melanistic, and lots of different coloration combos. Their pure tendency to spontaneously develop coloration morphs and their easy-going nature make them fashionable pets. During the Nineteen Seventies, folks captured many of those snakes and offered them as pets. While you’ll suppose this might harm the wild inhabitants, it didn’t hurt this species. They are hardy and breed readily, so recovering from over-collection was attainable. 

Most California kingsnakes common two and a half to a few and a half ft lengthy, however they will develop to about six ft lengthy. 

Pacific Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer catenifer)

Several gopher snake subspecies roam the U.S. However, you might be prone to discover the Pacific gopher snake slithering across the Sacramento River. Gopher snakes are huge and muscular, with a dramatic aptitude. When threatened, these snakes puff themselves up, mock strike, hiss loudly, and rattle their tail towards the bottom. However, their strikes are sometimes with their mouths closed and so they settle down the second you decide them up. 

Their patterns look just like the native rattlesnakes, however they don’t seem to be as cumbersome because the pit vipers. Pacific gopher snakes usually attain six ft lengthy, and generally stand up to eight ft. These nonvenomous “farmer’s helpers” eat an enormous amount of rodents yearly.

Aquatic Garter Snake (Thamnophis atratus)

This snake solely happens alongside the coast of California and Oregon. It seems just like its cousins, besides in a few of its vary it has a deep yellow dorsal stripe, and by no means has purple pigment. Aquatic garter snakes eat fish, amphibians, tadpoles, and different small prey. They are extra widespread within the San Francisco Bay space however is likely to be discovered close to the river’s supply within the Klamath Mountains. 

Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans)

More land-tolerant than different garter snakes, western terrestrial garter snakes happen farther from water. However, that doesn’t imply they’re a totally terrestrial species. These snakes are simply as succesful within the water as their cousins, however far adaptable to life away from the water — one thing their weight loss program displays. Western terrestrial garter snakes are generalists and sometimes eat no matter they will seize.

These snakes attain about three and a half ft lengthy; some have purple or black pots between their yellow, orange, or white dorsal and facet stripes. Like different garter snakes, these are generally tough to positively establish. However, they’re innocent until you occur to be a bite-sized prey animal.

Giant Garter Snake (Thamnophis gigas)

Appropriately named, big garter snakes appear like regular garter snakes that in some way grew considerably larger. These snakes develop over 5 ft lengthy and have vivid dorsal stripes like many different garter snakes. Their extremely aquatic nature matches completely across the Sacramento River, however they’re uncommon — presumably the rarest of all garter snakes. 

Giant garter snakes take full benefit of their watery panorama. Their weight loss program consists of fish, amphibians, and tadpoles, and these snakes take to the water as quickly because the temperature reaches 78º Fahrenheit.

They’re extra widespread additional north alongside the Sacramento River however could also be discovered close to the river within the Central Valley.

Ring-Necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus)

A small snake, ring-necked snakes usually conceal underneath moist leaf litter and particles, particularly close to the perimeters of rivers and ponds. These snakes eat small soft-bodied larvae, worms, and different arthropods, solely not often leaving their darkish hiding locations. 

Ring-necked snakes have an olive to grey or black dorsal coloration, vivid purple, orange, or yellow ring round their neck, and matching stomach coloration. They solely develop as much as about 15 inches lengthy and are utterly innocent. 

Sharptailed Snake (Contia tenuis)

This snake has a specialised tail that it makes use of to assist lure prey — which occurs to be small slugs and their eggs. Surprisingly lengthy for such small prey, sharp-tailed snakes can develop as much as 18 inches lengthy! Their coloration is normally grayish brown to brick purple, however different colours generally seem. 

Are you continue to questioning in regards to the tail? It’s the final tail vertebra that stands out slightly, giving the snake a spike to assist seize prey.

Northern Rubber Boa (Charina bottae)

If you like boas, we discovered one for you! Northern rubber boas stay additional north than another boa species, even in southern Canada. We name them rubber boas as a result of they’ve very small shiny scales and unfastened pores and skin. In the solar, they appear very similar to moist rubber. 

These innocent snakes are normally a strong coloration that varies from brown to grey. Northern rubber boas are thick-bodied for his or her dimension and usually develop as much as three ft lengthy. You gained’t see many of those snakes alongside the Sacramento River, not as a result of they’re uncommon, however as a result of they’re underground more often than not. This species is understood for clearing out whole rodent burrows, by consuming all of the young whereas they fend off the mother and father. 

This docile species is usually used to assist folks afraid of snakes transfer previous their concern. Northern rubber boas almost by no means chew, and are so calm that even wild people will be dealt with gently with out subject.

Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus)

You aren’t prone to discover another rattlesnake species alongside the Sacramento River. A bigger rattlesnake, the Northern Pacific rattlesnake can develop over 5 ft lengthy — the document is 5 ft, 4 inches — however most people common three to a few and a half ft. Like a lot of the western group of rattlesnakes, northern Pacific rattlesnakes have a darkish stripe behind their eyes and banded tail ending in a rattle. 

Northern Pacific rattlesnakes are extra diurnal than most rattlers. Even so, they change to early mornings and evenings if the summer time is absolutely sizzling. These snakes choose grasslands and rocky outcrops for each shelter and searching areas and sometimes brumate with many different snakes in crevices and different cave-like openings. Some estimates say that rattlesnakes basically do extra to cut back the rodent inhabitants than another animal in North America. So though they need to be admired from a distance, killing them ought to be a final resort.

Rattlesnake Bite First Aid

Although Northern Pacific rattlesnakes aren’t as nervous and edgy as western diamondback rattlers, they nonetheless chew after they really feel threatened. These snakes usually provide you with slightly extra warning, however any rattler will strike if cornered, shocked, stepped on, or harassed.

Although rattlesnake bites are not often deadly, they’re medical emergencies. Luckily, you are able to do a number of issues to assist decrease tissue harm. Here’s what to do if you’re bitten by a rattlesnake:

• Stay calm and breathe. You’ll have the ability to hold a transparent head.
• Call 911 or native rangers, or get to a hospital. California additionally has a toll-free cellphone quantity to name for poison management. Early therapy is significant to a full restoration.
• Immobilize the physique half if attainable and hold it under the guts’s stage.
• Remove constrictive clothes and jewellery. If envenomated, you’ll swell up like a balloon.
• Take a photograph or memorize particulars. However, in Northern California, you might be solely prone to encounter a northern Pacific rattlesnake. So, location is essential.

Of course, we additionally have to know what not to do. So, right here’s that listing for you:

• Do NOT lower the chew wound and try and suck out the venom. It gained’t work. 
• Never attempt to catch the snake. If the primary chew was a warning, the second shall be for actual. 
• Do NOT use a tourniquet. They don’t work for rattlesnake venom and most of the people don’t know use them correctly. 
• Do not panic. There are solely about 5 fatalities within the U.S. yearly on account of venomous snakebites.
• Don’t use ice. It gained’t assist you.

Other Animals Around the Sacramento River

The Sacramento River’s 400 miles consists of a number of the most lovely terrain within the state of California. You can discover every little thing from beavers to vultures within the Golden State, however listed here are a number of animals you’ll be able to see across the Sacramento River.

• American Black Bear — The state bear is a frequent customer to the Sacramento River.
• California Condor — as soon as almost extinct, they’ve made a come-back because of devoted conservationists, together with these on the San Diego Zoo.
• Arboreal Salamander — This tree-climbing, lungless salamander is nocturnal and very laborious to catch.

Wildlife Sightings and Help

California has a reporting system for sightings of various species and conditions. Visit their sightings web page and choose the hyperlink that applies.

• Wildlife incidents involving battle, property harm, common sightings, and welfare.
• Dead wildlife
• Injured, sick, or orphaned animals
• Sightings of badgers, bats, elk, grey wolves, Sierra Nevada purple fox, snowshoe hare.