A Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Maricopa County will help you to learn more about and identify snakes that are found in central Arizona.
Western Shovel-nosed Snake
Maricopa County Snake - Mildly Venomous
If you have taken a photo of a snake in Maricopa County (Greater Phoenix area) and you'd like to submit the picture to this photo gallery, here's how you do it.
The Western Shovel-nosed Snake (Chionactis occipitalis) is a small snake of up to 15 inches. It spends most of its time under sand or in sandy soil. The venom of the Western Shovel-nosed Snake is usually not especially dangerous.
© Dr. Brendan P. O'Connor, used with permission. Some descriptions obtained from AZ PARC.About Arizona's Rattlesnakes
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