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Snakes of Berryessa SNAKES OF BERRYESSA Introduction There are around 2700 Berryessa region, the Gopher Snake , yellow belly. Head snake species in the western rattlesnake, Pituophis roughly as thick as the world today. Of these, which is distinctly melanolancus: neck. The tail blunt like 110 species are different in Common. Up to the head. A live birthing indigenous to the United appearance from any 250 cm in length. constrictor. Nocturnal States. Here at Lake of our non-venomous Tan to cream dorsal during the summer. Berryessa, park visitors species. color with brown Found in coniferous have the opportunity to and black markings. forests under rocks and observe as many as Rattlesnakes pose no Dark line in front of logs, usually near a 10 different species serious threat to and behind the permanent source of of snakes. humans. The truth is, eyes. Diurnal water. Feeds on small in the entire United except for the mammals and lizards. Western Yellow Bellied Racer When observing snakes States only 10-12 California Kingsnake hottest portions of Gopher Snake in the wild, it's important Aquatic Garter Snake people die each year summer. Egg laying Western Yellow-Bellied Racer , Coluber constrictor : to follow certain due to snake bites, with 99% of these deaths attributed species that is found in almost any habitat. Can be Common. Up to 175 cm in length. guidelines. The fallen trees, stands of brush, and rock to either the western or eastern diamondback arboreal. Feeds on birds, lizards, rodents and eggs. Brown to olive skin with a pale yellow belly. Young piles found around Berryessa serve as homes, hunting rattlesnake, neither of which are found in the Berryessa Hisses loudly and vibrates it's tail when disturbed. possess brown side blotches and resemble young grounds, and refuges for numerous wild animals. area. The western rattlesnake is a rather docile, non- Looks similar to rattlesnake, but is completely harmless. gopher snakes. Very large eyes. Diurnal, egg laying Therefore, please refrain from destroying or altering the aggressive species of rattlesnake that tends only to species that inhabits grassy regions and woodland habitat of the area. Habitat destruction leads to increased strike if handled or cornered. Caution should be used Western Rattlesnake , Crotalus viridis : Common. Up to around rocks and logs. Feeds primarily on lizards and snake/human encounters within the park, and ultimately, when handling any venomous snake. 152 cm in length. Light stripe behind the eyes , and insects. An extremely quick snake. fewer snakes. triangular shaped head. Body brown to green with To avoid contact with rattlesnakes, stay on designated brown and black blotching. Tail ringed with black bands. Western Terrestrial Garter , Thamnophis elegans : Snakes play a crucial role in the ecosystem. Through trails, watch where you step, and keep pets on a leash. Rattles on end of tail. Chiefly diurnal, yet nocturnal Common. Up to 100 cm. Yellow to cream dorsal stripe rodent control, snakes keep in check a rodent population The western rattlesnake is an important member of the during the summer months. Live birthing. Lives in a on a red and black body. Belly color will vary greatly. that otherwise might spiral out of control. Large rodent natural community, so give them distance and respect. wide range of habitats, from forests to lake edges. Often Head is usually dark colored. Diurnal. Live birthing. populations not only lead to problems with property If you find a rattlesnake please contact a Park Ranger. found at the base of trees, brush, or near rock piles. Broad range of habitats. Found in arid to moist destruction, but also facilitate the spread of many diseases The main purpose of assembling this guide is to provide Feeds on lizards, birds and rodents. VENOMOUS. environments. Permanent source of water not required. that can not only be dangerous, but fatal to humans. information and dispel myths about snakes, and promote Feeds on frogs, insects and worms. the preservation of this important member of our Ringneck Snake, Diadophis punctatus : Fair numbers. Predators of the snakes here at Lake Berryessa include ecosystem. Up to 76 cm in length. Olive to black with a red to Common Garter Snake , Thamnophis sirtalis : Common. owls, eagles, foxes, raccoons, and other snakes. The orange belly. Distinct orange neck band. Very secretive Up to 127 cm in length. Well defined dorsal and lateral kingsnakes are notorious consumers of rattlesnakes, yet species. Egg laying. stripes (red blotches between stripes on a brown body). rarely actively seek them out as prey. The number one Snakes of Berryessa Usually found under May have blue to greenish belly and red head. Diurnal. predator of our rocks or logs in a Live birthing. Usually found in the vicinity of a permanent lake's snakes is California Kingsnake, Lampropeltis getulus : Common. moist environment. water source, yet also common in a variety of other humans. Many Up to 200 cm in length, brown to black with white bands, Prefers woodland habitats. Feeds on worms, lizards, frogs, fish and beneficial yet can be striped. Nocturnal during the hot summer habitats. Feeds on insects. species are killed months. Found from forests to meadows and fields. salamanders, on the roads or in Feeds on birds, lizards, rodents and other snakes lizards, and worms. Western Aquatic Garter Snak e, Thamnophis couchi : the park due (including rattlesnake). Immune to rattlesnake venom. Produces fetid odor Less Common. Up to 127 cm. Dorsal stripe not well mainly to Oviparious. when handled. defined. Red markings usually absent. Head usually a misidentification dusky color. Diurnal. Live birthing. Uses water as a and mis- California Mountain Kingsnake, L. zonata: Rare. Up to Rubber Boa, retreat. Feeds on fish, lizards, salamanders, and information. 106 cm in length, beautiful red, black and white bands. Charina bottae : crustaceans. There is but one Nocturnal during the summer. Egg laying species that Rare. Up to 76 cm. venomous snake prefers dense forests near streams or rivers. Found in or Plain brown with a found in the Lake around fallen trees and rock outcrops. Feeds on birds, Rubber Boa Western Rattlesnake lizards, and snakes. GLOSSARY OF TERMS FOR MORE INFORMATION RECLAMATION Managing Water in the West http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/field_offices/lake_berryessa/index.html ARBOREAL - Tree climbing Brown, Vinson. 1974. Reptiles and Amphibians of the West. CONIFEROUS - Trees and shrubs bearing cones Naturegraph Publishers Inc., Healdsburg, CA. 79 p.p. DIURNAL - Active during the day Markel, Ronald. 1990. Kingsnakes DOCILE - Manageable, easily handled and Milksnakes. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., Neptune City, NJ. 144 p.p. DORSAL - The back Simon, Hilda. 1979. Easy ECOSYSTEM - A system made up of a community of animals and plants Identification Guide to North Visit Us on the Web! UsontheWeb! Visit American Snakes. Dodd, Mead, and Company., New York, NY. 128 p.p. Snakes of Berryessa FACILITATE - Make easier A Visitor's Guide FETID - Foul smelling Stebbins, Robert. 1972. Amphibians and Reptiles of HABITAT - Native environment California. University of California Press., Berkeley, CA. 152 p.p. IMMUNE - Show no ill effects from or not susceptible to Walls, Jerry. 1994. Boas Rosy & Ground. T.F.H Publications, Inc., INDIGENOUS - Native to an area Neptune City, NJ. 63 p.p. LATERAL - Sideways NOCTURNAL - Active at night Photo Credits OVIPAROUS - Egg producing Western rattlesnake: Courtesy of the National Park Service (NPS); PALEONTOLOGY - Study of fossilized remains Roy Wood, 1990. PREDATORY - Actively seeks out prey as food Gopher snake; Courtesy of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); Jim Rorabaugh. VENOMOUS - Poisonous Rubber Boa: Courtesy of the VENTRAL - Belly portion National Park Service (NPS); J.R. Douglass, 1971. Courtesy of the United States Geological Survey (USGS). FOR MORE INFORMATION Aquatic Garter Snake, Yellow Bellied PLEASE CONTACT: Racer, and California Kingsnake: Public Use Area, Swimming Access, Courtesy of Gary Nafis at Picnicking, Hiking Trails, Fishing Access, Bureau of Reclamation www.californiaherps.com. Shade Shelters, & Wildlife Viewing Lake Berryessa Field Office 5520 Knoxville Road, Napa CA 94558 (707) 966-2111 U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Monday through Friday Mid-Pacific Region 7:00am to 3:30pm. .
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