Oregon has different types of snakes, including poisonous ones, ringnecks, garter snakes, and king snakes.
Our list will undoubtedly be useful for understanding the specifics of the many types of snakes in Oregon.
Whether you’re searching for a new pet or need a helping guide for your next tour across the state’s diverse terrain, you will find them all here on our list of types of snakes in Oregon
1. Western Rattlesnake
This is the first on our list of types of snakes in Oregon. One of Oregon’s most venomous types of snakes to be worried about is the Western Rattlesnake.
There are several habitats for the western rattlesnake, including both open woodlands and deserts. You will probably locate them near cliffs, rocks, and logs.
The rattles at the end of the Western Rattlesnake’s tail are perhaps its most characteristic feature.
Its head resembles a diamond, while the rest of its body is brown with tan and black coloring that blends nicely with the desert’s natural characteristics.
2. Pacific Coast Aquatic Garter Snake
The Pacific Coast Aquatic Garter Snake is also one of the types of snakes in Oregon.
This snake may be found close to bodies of water in meadows, marshes, and damp woodlands. It may be seen lounging on boulders or feeding on riparian flora.
These types of snakes in Oregon eat fish eggs, tadpoles, and other aquatic animals.
The Pacific Coast Aquatic Garter Snake’s black, yellow, or tan colors give it an almost checkerboard look. That being said, its head is mostly black.
3. Common Kingsnake
The Common Kingsnake is a quite big reptile with an ominous appearance. Its main sources of food are amphibians and other snakes.
Although they are not aquatic, they like to stay near bodies of water. They are mostly located in the river basins of the Rogue and Umpqua rivers.
The two main colorations of the common kingsnake are usually black and cream. Although the lighter color is much less noticeable than the deeper color, it sticks out.
4. California Mountain Kingsnake
The California Mountain Kingsnake is comparable to the Common Kingsnake. The state’s southwest valleys are often home to these snakes.
These types of snakes in Oregon like being close to streams and decaying wood.
California mountain king snakes are popular because of their remarkable look, which includes bands of black, cream, and red or orange.
5. Rubber Boa
One of Oregon’s most unusual snakes is the Rubber Boa. This constrictor inhabits various environments, including woods, deciduous and coniferous forests, and desert scrub.
Rubber Boas are constrictors, meaning they usually exclusively consume tiny animals like shrews and mice.
The Rubber Boa is rather straightforward in terms of looks. Most of it is either black or brown. It resembles an enormous earthworm visually.
6. Racer Snake
You are more likely to come across the Racer snake in open spaces. It favors meadows, sagebrush plains, and juniper woods.
Unlike many other snakes, the racer stays out of deep forests and similar places. It consumes a wide range of prey, including small animals, bugs, and lizards.
Racers are often light brown with pink or green undertones, resembling soil since they like to hang out in open spaces.
These types of snakes in Oregon can blend in with their environment effortlessly.
7. Ring-neck Snake
The ringneck snake is a stunning reptile. Its underbelly is crimson, while its top is mostly dark grey or black.
Most ringneck snake habitats are located in damp areas like logs or stumps.
They also like hiding at the bottoms of canyons or pine-oak forests. These types of snakes in Oregon are mostly found in the grasslands of the Willamette Valley.
8. Sharp-tail Snake
You have probably never heard of the Sharp-tail Snake before unless you are an avid snake lover.
Because it prefers slugs, this snake can only be found in damp woodlands. This is one of the few snakes that will consume just slugs, if at all.
These types of snakes in Oregon may only eat slugs, but that doesn’t stop them from looking a little scary. Their scales are visible, and they have a dark grey appearance.
9. Night Snake
One of Oregon’s desert snakes is the night snake. It usually occurs next to rocky outcrops and hides in rocky nooks throughout the day to avoid being too hot.
In contrast to other types of snakes in Oregon, night snakes mostly consume cold-blooded creatures like frogs and lizards.
Moreover, they are mostly nocturnal, which explains why cold-blooded animals make up their food.
10. Striped Whipsnake
You will likely come across Striped Whipsnakes in the northwest, particularly in grasslands and flat canyon bottoms.
Additionally, it may be found in pine-oak or juniper forests. However, it is also infrequently seen in southwest Oregon’s arid, bushy regions.
As its name implies, the whole length of the Striped Whipsnake’s body is covered in stripes.
These stripes are usually light in color, like tan or cream. The remaining body is either light grey or brown.
11. Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Though it lives on land, the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake resembles Oregon’s sole aquatic snake.
This snake has four distinct subspecies in Oregon, and it may be found in various environments.
Because of this, you may discover these types of snakes in Oregon nibbling on a wide range of foods and finding them almost everywhere in the state.
Though it doesn’t quite like a checkerboard, the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake is still highly patterned. Its most notable feature is that its whole body seems to be covered in stripes.
Other diamond or checkerboard patterns are also present but are much more muted than in the watery variant.
12. Northwestern Garter Snake
Northwestern Garter Snakes’ main habitats are clearings in forests and meadows. Although they are often located in deep foliage, they like basking.
The Willamette Valley and urban or suburban parks are home to these types of snakes in Oregon.
Like the other Garter snakes, the Northwestern has stripes all over its body. However, it is neither dark grey nor black.
Alternatively, the Northwestern Garter Snake has tan or light brown undertones.
13. Gopher Snake
The gopher snake can live in several environments, such as grasslands, open woods, woodlands, and deserts.
It prefers agricultural areas in particular since there is enough cover for it to hide behind.
These snakes are mostly tan with black or dark brown patches, although they may be found in lush and verdant settings.
From their look alone, it would seem that these types of snakes in Oregon could only be found in arid areas, yet this is untrue.
14. Western Ground Snake
The Western Ground Snake is ending our list of types of snakes in Oregon and a little, peaceful animal.
It is mainly found in regions with sandy soil. To be more precise, it prefers to conceal itself behind things to avoid the light and get more moisture.
Due to their small size, these snakes mostly consume tiny insects for food.
Though stunning, the Western Ground Snake is quite charming. The majority of its body is orange, with black stripes.
Orange may be a very vivid color or a bland one. Interestingly, the lifespans of these types of snakes in Oregon in captivity are lower than those in the wild.
