Snakes in the Desert – A Guide to the Most Common Species
The desert may seem like an inhospitable place but it is actually home to a fascinating variety of snake species. From the deadly venomous rattlesnake to the harmless gopher snake desert snakes have adapted in amazing ways to survive in their harsh environments. In this article, we will explore 25 of the most common snakes that inhabit the deserts of North America, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Desert Snake Adaptations
Snakes that live in deserts have evolved special adaptations that allow them to thrive in arid conditions. Here are some of the ways desert snakes have adapted:
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Seeking shade under rocks – Many snakes will spend most of their time hiding under rocks or in crevices to escape the intense sun. Species like the desert rosy boa are rarely seen outside of their rocky shelters.
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Burrowing underground – Some snakes like the western blind snake will live in burrows deep underground, sometimes as far down as 30 feet! These burrowing species often have reduced eyesight and feed on subterranean prey like insects and larvae.
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Living near oases – Springs and oases in the desert provide vital water sources. Snakes like the Baja California rat snake are found concentrated around these desert oases.
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Hunting rodents – Rodents are plentiful in the desert, providing a reliable food source for snakes. Venomous snakes often use their toxins to subdue and kill rodent prey.
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Eating other snakes – Juvenile snakes fall prey to larger predatory snakes. Some desert snakes have even evolved immunity to the venom of rattlesnakes and other dangerous snakes that share their habitat.
The Top 25 Desert Snake Species
Now let’s take a closer look at 25 of the most common and fascinating snake species found living in deserts around the world:
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Rattlesnakes – Rattlesnakes are well suited to desert life and are widespread in America’s southwestern deserts. Species like the Arizona black rattlesnake, Mojave rattlesnake, and sidewinder are all venomous and can be identified by their signature rattle.
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Desert rosy boa – A strikingly colored snake of the American southwest, the rosy boa spends nearly its entire life hidden under rocks. When disturbed, they may coil into a ball and play dead.
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Desert kingsnake – Growing up to 8 feet long, the desert kingsnake hunts rodents across the southwest. It is immune to rattlesnake venom and will even prey on young rattlers.
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Desert death adder – Found in Australia’s harsh deserts, the death adder has highly toxic venom. Its camouflage allows it to ambush small mammals passing by.
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Desert whip snake – Identified by its copper head and blue midsection, the Australian desert whip snake subdues lizards and frogs with its mildly toxic venom.
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Glossy snake – A night hunter of the American southwest, the glossy snake feasts on lizards and small mammals. Females may lay up to 20 leathery eggs in the summer.
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Desert nightsnake – Although mildly venomous, this nocturnal hunter of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts poses little danger to humans. It feeds mostly on lizards.
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Madrean mountain kingsnake – With its brightly colored bands of red, black and yellow, this small Mexican snake mimics the deadly coral snake to ward off predators.
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Western blind snake – Tiny and completely blind, this silver snake feeds on ants and termites deep underground, sometimes digging over 20 feet down!
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Saharan sand viper – Pale and camouflaged against the desert sands, the Saharan sand viper delivers an extremely toxic venom capable of killing prey rapidly.
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Desert cobra – Found across northern Africa and the Middle East, the desert cobra hunts rodents and lizards at night. It can spit venom if threatened.
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Baja California rat snake – Concentrated around desert oases in the American southwest, this large constrictor feeds primarily on rats and mice.
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Desert banded snake – Tiny but highly venomous, this Australian desert dweller has black and orange banding. It preys on small lizards and frogs.
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Sonoran shovelnose snake – With its banded pattern of red, black and white, this mildy venomous snake is well-camouflaged against the sands of Arizona’s Sonoran desert.
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Trans-Pecos rat snake – Growing up to 6 feet long, this heavy-bodied constrictor of the Chihuahuan desert hunts rodents at night and takes refuge in rock crevices during the day.
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Saharan horned viper – The iconic “horns” above its eyes make the Saharan horned viper one of the most distinctive desert snakes. Its venom causes hemorrhaging in victims.
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Western hognose snake – Known for its elaborate bluffing behaviors, this harmless southwestern snake flattens its neck into a cobra-like hood when threatened.
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Eastern kingsnake – The brightly banded kingsnake hunts rodents, lizards, and other snakes across the southern deserts. It is immune to pit viper venom.
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Desert sidewinding adder – Found in southern Africa, this viper “sidewinds” across loose sands by throwing its body into a J-shaped curve and pushing off.
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Sidewinder – The sidewinder rattlesnake of North America uses a similar J-shaped movement to cruise rapidly over desert dunes without sinking into the sand.
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Desert coralsnake – With its vivid red, yellow and black banding, this venomous snake hunts primarily by night for its favorite prey – other snakes.
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Pacific gopher snake – One of the larger snakes of the American southwest, the gopher snake hunts rodents across desert flats and arroyos.
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Desert horned viper – Sporting dramatic horns above its eyes, the desert horned viper of northern Africa has venom that induces hemorrhaging, making it extremely dangerous.
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Western patch-nosed snake – Perfectly camouflaged against desert rocks, this snake consumes rodents, lizards, eggs, and small snakes around its rocky shelters.
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Desert cat snake – Named for its cat-like eyes, the desert cat snake of Asia ambushes rodents and lizards at night with its mildly toxic venom.
Conclusion
As we have seen, deserts around the world are home to a wide variety of specialized snake species. Rattlesnakes, cobras, vipers, and harmless species have all adapted to surviving in hot, arid environments where food and water are scarce. Their unique adaptations allow them to find shelter from the sun, ambush prey, and even mimic more dangerous species. So next time you are out exploring the desert, keep an eye out for these amazing snakes! Just be sure to admire them from a safe distance.
List of snakes found in deserts
| S. No. | Snake name | Habitat | Length | Venom |
| 1 | Inland Taipan | Deserts of central and eastern Australia | Up to 6 feet | Highly venomous |
| 2 | Sidewinder Rattlesnake | Southwestern USA, northern Mexico | Up to 2 feet | Venomous |
| 3 | Thornscrub Hook-Nose Snake | Northern Mexico, southern Arizona | Just over 1 foot | Non-venomous |
| 4 | Desert Horned Viper | North Africa, Middle East | Up to 3 feet | Venomous |
| 5 | Sonoran Gopher Snake | Southwestern USA | Up to 6 feet | Non-venomous |
| 6 | Mexican Short-Tailed Snake | Deserts of Mexico | Up to 20 inches | Non-venomous |
| 7 | Horned Adder | Southwestern Africa | Up to 2 feet | Venomous |
| 8 | Mulga Snake | Australia | Up to 10 feet | Highly venomous |
| 9 | Western Diamondback Rattlesnake | Southwestern USA, northern Mexico | Up to 7 feet | Venomous |
| 10 | Arizona Coral Snake | Arizona, New Mexico, Mexico | Up to 2 feet | Venomous |
The Desert of Rattlesnakes – full nature documentary, venomous rattlesnakes of Arizona
FAQ
Can you find a snake in the desert?
Desert-dwelling snakes inhabit every desert on Earth. From the Australian outback to the desert southwest in North America, you can be sure to find at least one species of potentially dangerous snake. Unlike mammals, snakes need little water to survive, and they’re uniquely adapted to life in the desert.
Can snakes move on sand?
A few species, however — found in the deserts of North America, Africa and the Middle East — have an odder way of getting around. Known as “sidewinders,” these snakes lead with their mid-sections instead of their heads, slinking sideways across loose sand.
How venomous is a sidewinder?
These snakes are venomous, but possess a weaker venom than many other rattlesnakes. This, together with the smaller size of their venom glands, makes them less dangerous than their larger relatives. Regardless, any rattlesnake bite can be fatal and should be taken seriously and medical attention sought immediately.
Where can desert snakes be found?
Desert kingsnakes occur in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and in Mexico. They can be found in any rural habitat within its range. These snakes also frequent woodlands, shrubland, savanna, and grasslands usually near water tanks or within riparian corridors. Desert kingsnakes are solitary and secretive.
What is the maximum size of a desert snake?
They are medium-sized cobras frequently found in Sahara desert. Their maximum recorded length is 148 cm. These snakes are capable of spitting venom at the eyes of their predators to protect themselves. Fun Fact: These snakes can accurately spit their venom from 8 feet away.
Are there any special adaptations that desert snakes have?
Desert-dwelling snakes inhabit every desert on earth. From the Australian outback to the desert southwest in North America, you can be sure to find at least one species of potentially dangerous snake. Unlike mammals, snakes need little water to survive, and they’re uniquely adapted to life in the desert.
How big can desert snakes grow?
It is not venomous, colored yellow and black. The desert kingsnake’s diet consists of rodents, lizards, and smaller snakes, including rattlesnakes. They normally grow 3–4 ft long, but have been known to grow up to 6.8 ft. They are docile creatures when confronted by humans.