Identifying black snakes with yellow stripes
There are quite a few species of snakes across the United States, let alone the world. With so many snakes all over, it’s hard to have such a general guide. Still, we are going to cover some of the most common snakes that are black and have yellow stripes. Below, we have broken down each snake into categories. They include:
common identification markingshabitatregiondietdanger level
If you happen to find a black snake with yellow stripes, this guide will help you find out which species you have stumbled across!
Plains/eastern garter snake
Garter snakes are some of the most common snakes in the US. They are sometimes called “garden snakes” because of their name and habit of ending up in the backyard. These snakes aren’t dangerous, and you are likely to encounter them at some point. Identification: Usually dark-bodied with cream bellies, (usually) yellow stripes running from base of head to tail, under 4 feet long. Habitat: Almost anywhere. Backyards, gardens, swamps, lakes, ponds, mountains, and more. Region: All over the US. Populated, suburban, rural, and everywhere in-between. Diet: Small mammals, amphibians, earthworms, minnows. Danger level: Mildly venomous – doesn’t hurt humans aside from swelling. Secretes foul-smelling odor when threatened.
Orange-striped ribbon snake
Although these are technically a sub-species of garter snakes, the orange striped ribbon snake is a perfect fit for our description today. As a result, we did a deeper dive into this specific sub-species. Identification: Dark-colored, black or brown, yellow stripes running from base of head to tail, often have yellow or orange spot on back of head, cream belly. Habitat: Usually found near water, swamps, marshes, woods, ponds, streams, rivers. Region: Most of the United States (most common in western states), Mexico. Diet: Frogs, toads, salamanders, minnows. Danger level: Mildly venomous – doesn’t hurt humans aside from swelling, does secrete odor when threatened (stinky but not dangerous).
Striped racers
Striped racers, often referred to as California whipsnakes, fit the description, while eastern racers don’t. Although they share a name, eastern racers are a different category of snake taxonomically. Identification: Black or grey bodies with lateral yellow or white stripes running laterally from head to tail. Holds head up while moving. Orange or yellow bellies, small dots under head. Habitat: Scrubland, woodland, rocks, foothills. Region: California and the western US. Diet: frogs, salamanders, lizards, snakes, birds, rodents, insects Danger level: Low. Non-venomous, but will strike if cornered.
Common/California kingsnake
There are two species of kingsnake in the US that could potentially match our description of black with yellow stripes; the common and the California kingsnake. These snakes are often kept as pets and now come in a variety of color morphs (specially selected colorations). They get the “king” in their name from their habit of eating other venomous snakes. Identification:
Common: Glossy black to dark brown, 20+ white rings around body. Rarely larger than 6 feet in length.California: Wide range of color morphs, can be black (or dark) with light bands around body. Can exceed 7 feet in length.
Habitat:
Common: From the oceans to the mountians and everywhere inbetween.California: From the oceans to the mountians and everywhere inbetween.
Region:
Common: Almost all of the continental United StatesCalifornia: West coast from Baja to Oregon
Diet:
Common: Rodents, birds, reptiles, venemous snakes, and almost everything elseCalifornia: Rodents, birds, reptiles, venemous snakes, and almost everything else
Danger level: Low. Non-venomous and often kept as pets.
Ringneck snake
Usually, ringneck snakes are nocturnal and unlikely to be seen by humans. Still, encounters do occasionally happen, but these small snakes are harmless. They are also incredibly beautiful! Identification: Dark bodies with vibrant underbellies of red or yellow. Small colorful ring of orange or yellow around neck. Habitat: Almost everywhere, prefer wooded areas. Region: Most of the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Diet: Lizards, snakes, salamanders, frogs, toads, slugs, earthworms Danger level: Low. Very weak venom that doesn’t impact humans.
Gulf Saltmarsh snake
Resembling a water moccasin in some ways, this non-venous snake is sometimes reffed to as a “salt moccasin”. They only live in salt marshes and are currently under threat from habitat destruction. Identification: Thick black to brown bodies with four stripes running longitudinally from head to tail; two are usually brown while the other two are yellowish. Habitat: Salt marshes in coastal regions. Region: Salty marshes from coastal Florida through Texas. Diet: Small fish, invertebrates, hunts in puddles Danger level: Low. Non-venomous
Patch-nosed snake
Although these snakes usually spend their days under the sand staying cool, they can occasionally be found coming out during the cool hours in the morning and evening. Their nose scale is believed to be an adaptation that allows them to slam into the burrows of small mammals through the sand. Identification: Long, slender bodies. Light tan, cream, brown, or black coloration with tan to yellow-colored stripe running from head to tail down the spine. Large triangular scale on snout. Habitat: Desert regions, scrublands, chaparral, canyons Region: Southwestern United States and into Mexico. Diet: Lizards, whiptails, birds, small mammals Danger level: Low. Weak venom that doesn’t impact humans.
Coral snake
These snakes are as dangerous as they are beautiful. Despite their name, they don’t swim in the ocean. They should be avoided due to how dangerous their venom can be. Identification: Long and narrow with black, yellow, and red bands across body. Always goes black-yellow-red-yellow, with black never touching red. Habitat: Forests, woodlands, desert scrub, rocky areas, and burrows, all usually near some type of water. Region: Southern US from Arizona to North Carolina, three different sub-species with the range. Diet: Snakes, frogs, lizards, birds, small mammals. Danger level: High. Highly venomous, requiring immediate medical attention.
Yellow-bellied sea snake
Sea snakes are among the deadliest snakes in the world and the yellow-bellied sea snake is no different. Thankfully, they live their lives in the water and can’t even move on land. Humans only really encounter them while out to sea or when they are accidentally caught in tide pools. Identification: Streamlines appearance with a tail like a fin. Black bodies with bright yellow bellies that can appear striped when viewed from the side. Habitat: Lives in and near the sea. Can’t move on land. Occasionally trapped in tide pools. Region: Hawaii and the coast of California. Diet: Fish Danger level: High. Highly venomous, requiring immediate medical attention.
