Desert Rosy Boa
When speaking of the Boa family it may sound strange to hear of a member living in the Mojave Desert. We usually associate Boa’s living in warm moist jungles to the south. This Boa is truly a member of the Boa family, however it doesn’t reach the length of its cousins, being only about 2-3 feet long. Coloration may vary from slate gray to tan to pink but can always be identified by three broad stripes down it’s back. The Rosy Boa has a very stocky and powerful body which it uses when squeezing it’s prey. It also has very smooth scales and vertical pupils. The Rosy Boa is not an egg layer, and when born, the young are 6-15 inches and very susceptible to danger. It may be found in moister areas of the Preserve near springs or permanent streams. The snake hunts in the early evenings and night for small mammals and birds. The Rosy Boa is protected by the State of California and sightings are rare within Mojave National Preserve.

Red Racer
This is the most commonly viewed snake within Mojave National Preserve. It can be seen on many of the roads sunning itself in the early to late morning hours. It is the fastest snake in the desert moving at up to 7mph and can reach up to 6 feet long with a slender, whiplike body. Coloration may vary from gray and tan to pink with black crossbars always present on the neck. A the snake gets older it begins to take on a more distinct reddish appearance. It’s diet consist of lizards, small snakes, mice and birds. It is very mean tempered and should not be handled. Although not poisonous its bite can tear the flesh and should be avoided.

Gopher Snake
This gentle and easygoing snake can be found throughout Mojave National Preserve. It’s pattern is similar to a rattlesnake and is often mistaken as one and unfortunately killed. It may be yellowish or cream colored and have brown or reddish blotches along the back. It is a very large and powerful snake and occasionally reaches 6 feet in length. Females lay up to 15 eggs in loose sand in April/May with young being born at about 8 inches. It lives over much of the desert in rocks, sandy washes and is a skilled climber. Its prey consists of rodents, rabbits and lizards and it kill its prey by constriction. This snake is very gentle and normally easy to handle. To see a gopher snake attack a ground squirrel click here.

Mojave Rattlesnake
This is one of the most dangerous of rattlesnakes in the Mojave Desert. Its venom, which it uses to immobilized its prey and defend itself, contains both nuerotoxins and hemotoxins. Nuerotoxins affect the nervous system and hemotoxins affect the bloodstream. It looks similar to the diamondback rattlesnake, having diamond shapes with white edges along its back. It’s color varies from green-gray to yellowish tones. Adults range from 2-4 feet in length. The creosote bush, found in the 2,000 to 4,000 foot elevation is its primary habitat and they feed primarily on small rodents. It is not one to go looking for trouble. Neither will it run when trouble comes. It is surely a snake better left alone!

Mojave Desert Sidewinder
The Sidewinder measures between 18-30 inches long with a gray, brown or yellow body. Its common habitat is sandy, creosote brush areas. It’s prey consists of lizards and small rodents such as the kangaroo rat. One of the most truly interesting animals that have adapted to the desert environment, the Sidewinder is suited to living in sandy conditions. Unlike other snakes that crawl using bottom scales to push themselves along the Sidewinder throws its head in front of it’s body, uses it as an anchor, and pulls the rest of itself along. This is a very efficient way of travel across areas of the Mojave National Preserve that they inhabit such as Kelso Dunes.