The Reptiles and Amphibians of Utah

Description: The base color is typically gray or light brown. Brown blotches, sometimes with dark edges, run down the dorsal and sides. The ventral has a checkered black-and-white pattern. A dark bar runs from behind the eyes and over the nose. Blotching atop the head forms a point between the eyes. Juveniles usually have a more contrasting pattern. This snake has lightly keeled scales.  

Size: A medium-sized snake that averages 2 to 3 feet in length. 

Range: This snake seems to be primarily restricted to the Colorado and Green River drainages from northern Uintah County south through Grand County and possibly into San Juan County. They inhabit riparian corridors and agricultural areas. They can also be found in grasslands and near wetlands with sufficient cover. They are found below 5,500 feet in elevation. 

Similar Species: The Glossy Snake has smooth scales and is not known to overlap with ratsnakes in Utah. The Great Basin Gopher Snake has a more yellow base color with dark brown and black blotching with heavily keeled scales.