Index for Category - Snakes

Last Updated 02/22/2020

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Snakes:
   California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula californiae) - 2019
   Mojave Sidewinder Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes) - 2019
   Western Diamondback Rattlesnake - 2011

California kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula californiae)

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This page last updated on 04/20/2019

(Fig. 01)

Picture Notes: On 04/16/2019 we were 4-wheeling on Rockefeller Road in the area of the Ireteba Mountains in Nevada. On one of our stops we noticed a very large cave high on a mountain side. Once several of our party reached and entered the large cave they encountered the snake shown in the pictures found here. It appeared to be about three to four feet long.

Description: The California kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula californiae) is primarily diurnal, but may become increasingly nocturnal during periods of particularly hot weather. Highly variable in appearance. Adult California kingsnakes are most commonly 2.5–3.5 feet in length, and rarely exceed four feet. Its head is somewhat wider than the neck, plate-like top scales, bulging eyes. Its body scales are smooth and glossy, giving rise to the scientific species name "lampropeltis," which means "shiny skin". Most commonly seen with alternating bands of black or brown and white or light yellow, including the underside, where the light bands become wider. A desert phase occurs with dark black bands and narrow bright white bands. In the winter, they retreat underground and enter a hibernation-like state called brumation. When disturbed, California kingsnakes will often coil their bodies to hide their heads, hiss, and rattle their tails, which can produce a sound somewhat resembling that of a rattlesnake. They are considered harmless to humans, but if handled it is common for this species to bite, as well as excrete musk and fecal contents from their cloaca. California kingsnakes are opportunistic feeders and common food items include rodents, birds, other reptiles and amphibians. All kingsnakes are non-venomous, but are powerful constrictors and generally kill their prey through suffocation. The "king" in their name refers to their propensity to hunt and eat other snakes, including venomous rattlesnakes, that are commonly indigenous to their natural habitat. California kingsnakes are naturally resistant to the venom of rattlesnakes, but are not totally immune. One of its hunting attributes is that it uses its powerful body to suffocate its prey by constriction. Outside of California, it occurs in southwestern Oregon, Nevada, southern Utah,extreme southwestern Colorado, much of Arizona, throughout Baja California, including several islands, and most of Sonora, Mexico.

(Fig. 02)

Return to Ireteba Peaks Wilderness Area - Summary Page

Mohave Desert Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes cerastes)

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This page last updated on 05/31/2019

(Fig. 01) A 2013 sighting while hiking near the Bowel of Fire

Picture Notes: On 05/30/2019, while driving along Christmas Pass Road down near Laughlin, we spotted two sidewinders in the road. This was the first time Jim Herring had ever encountered a rattlesnake. When we got out to snap some pictures we were amazed at how loud their rattles were when we approached them. The first one we spotted (Fig. 02) slithered off the road and disappeared into a hole that was at the base of a creosote bush. Even though he was out of sight we could still hear his rattle. About 10 minutes later we spotted a second one on the side of the road that appeared kind of fat like he might have recently eaten something (Fig. 04 & 05). He also slithered off the road and hid in a nearby bush (Fig. 06). (Fig. 02) A 2019 sighting driving on Christmas Pass Road. (Fig. 03) (Fig. 04) Our second sighting that same day (Fig. 05) (Fig. 06) Back in May of 2013, while hiking to the Bowl of Fire from the mile 18.2 parking area along Lake Mead’s Northshore Drive, I nearly stepped on this Sidewinder (Figs 01, 07 & 08). From this trailhead you have to walk around the tip of a large hill, known as Hill 651. Just after rounding this hill, hiking in a slightly northeast direction, is where I encountered him. About five month after that while hiking along the Sandy Valley Road near the Ignomar Mine, it was my hiking partner, Grant Brown, that nearly stepped on one (Figs 09-11). I heard a startled hollar and looked to see him take a four foot step backwards in one motion. Right away, I knew it must have been a rattlesnake. Because he offered no movement for quite some time, I thought it might have been dead. However, as I moved some twigs out of the way for a better picture, he stuck his little black tongue out. It's amazing how well these guys can camouflage themselves to blend into the environment.

(Fig. 07) Description: Named for its side-winding locomotion, the Mohave Desert Sidewinder is Nevada’s smallest rattlesnake, reaching up to 31 inches in length. Notice to the right of his head in (Fig. 01), how the rest of its body continues to wrap around the visible coil, covered by the surrounding sand, and completely covering the rattles on his tail. Counting this, I would estimate its length to be about 30 inches, meaning this was a fully grown snake. Primarily inhabiting valleys and alluvial fans a series of backward J or S shapes left in loose soil indicates where one has passed by. As shown in these pictures, when at rest, they partially bury themselves in loose sand or gravel. It is sometimes referred to as the “horned rattler” because of the modified scales above its eyes (Fig. 07). All rattlesnakes in Nevada have facial or loreal pits, heat-sensitive depressions, on either side of the head between the nostril and eye. This can be seen if you click (Fig. 07) to enlarge it to full size. These pits can detect differences in temperatures of less than 0.5° F in nearby objects, thereby allowing them to detect prey, even in complete darkness. In (Fig. 08) you can see where my foot passed within an inch of his head.

(Fig. 08)

There are approximately 52 species of snakes and lizards in the state of Nevada.  Of these, only 12 are considered venomous; only six can be dangerous to people and pets. They are all members of the Viperidae family, the pit vipers, and include the Sidewinder, Mohave Green, Speckled, Western Diamondback and Great Basin rattlesnakes. Encountering them is uncommon because of their body camouflage and secretive nature, which are their first defenses in evading predators. You can consider yourself fortunate if you are lucky enough to see one! Now I've seen four of them.               Compared to most non-venomous snakes, rattlesnakes have broad triangular shaped heads that accommodate the venom glands and muscles controlling them. Pit vipers use fangs to dispense venom, which is a complex toxic compound used both to subdue prey and protect against predators. Having the ability to dispense venom using these fangs can mean life or death for rattlesnakes. When not in use, the fangs are folded against the roof of the mouth, swinging down as the snake lunges forward to strike, releasing its venom through the fang into the prey. Fangs are not permanent; they are periodically replaced. Flexible jaws allow snakes to swallow their prey whole. Rattlesnakes have a triangular head that gives way to a narrow neck, thick body and a tail that is tipped with a series of interlocking segments making up the rattle. Shedding from one to three times a year; every time a snake sheds its skin a new segment is added. However, sometimes rattle segments break off, which is why rattlesnakes cannot be aged by simply counting their rattle segments.  During high summer temperatures in the Mohave Desert, reptiles may estivate underground in order to maintain vital body temperatures. This species occurs in southeastern California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, western Arizona, and southward into northwestern Mexico. The subspecies in Nevada is the Mojave Desert sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes cerastes); other subspecies occur in the Colorado and Sonoran deserts.

(Fig. 09)

(Fig. 10)

(Fig. 11)

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)

While walking in a wash along Lovell Canyon Road on 02/28/2011 with the rock hounds from the Heritage Park Senior Facility, we had a face to face encounter with a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.  I was walking just a few feet behind one of the ladies in our group when all of a sudden she turned around and started running by me screaming “rattlesnake”. After advancing a few steps forward, the loud buzzing sound of his rattler, coupled with a high rising and very threatening coil was an ample warning not to get any closer. By the time I got my camera focused on him, he had uncoiled, gotten down off the rock and started slithering in my direction, heading for the cover of a large bush. I estimated that he was about 3-1/2 feet in length. Description: The Western Diamondback is the largest species of rattlesnake common to the Southwest United States. Sizes range from about 10 inches at birth to around 60 inches as an adult. From the sheer standpoint of size it ranks as one of the world's largest and most dangerous snakes; partly because of its wide distribution, this snake accounts for more serious and fatal snake bites than any other North American reptile. It has a plump body, a short tail, and a broad, triangular head that is very distinct from the body. It can be yellowish gray, pale blue, or pinkish brown and has dark diamond shape marks down its back. The diamondback has tubular fangs with which it injects its prey. It sometimes leaves its fangs within its prey however they are replaced 2-4 times a year by a reserve set. Because it is a ‘pit viper’, it  has a pit organ between its nostrils and its eyes. These organs detect temperature differences between the interior temperature of the snake and the ambient temperature. There is also a rattle at the end of its tail. This rattle is made up of the last scale that is left when it molts. With each molt, it gains a new layer to its rattle. At the same time, older layers fall off. The Western Diamondback rattlesnake's habitat is varied, but the most likely areas where they can be found are among cactus, mesquite, in and about rocky terrain, limestone outcrops, thick brush and throughout dry, rocky, shrub covered terrain where they can conceal themselves in cracks in the rocks and in holes in the ground. The western diamondback can climb small trees and is an accomplished swimmer. They can be found in central and western Texas, through southern New Mexico and Arizona, southern Nevada and into southern California. The diamondback primarily feeds on small rodents, rabbits, birds, and almost anything alive that can be swallowed whole. It eats every two to three weeks and swallows its food whole. The food is digested as it passes through the body. Its annual water consumption is about its body weight. Mating of the Western diamondback rattlesnake occurs in the spring after they hibernate. After a gestation period of about 167 days they can give birth to anywhere from 10 to 20 young. After only a few hours they leave the mother in search of food on their own, resulting in a very high mortality rate.

[Lovell Canyon and the SMNRA - Summary Page]