Posted by Michelle Gross on August 29, 2007

Q: Hi, I have been trying to identify a very small snake that my cats discovered in the kitchen. I live in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas between the Feather River (10 min away) and Chico(20 min away) in the Central Valley, this area is a transition zone from deciduos trees and brush to a pine forest. We live in a canyon area that sits on the Lovejoy Basalt rock unit, And on a nice day you can see Mt. Lassen to the North. I have been told that there is a very small snake in the area that is rarely seen but no one seems to know its name. This is the best description I can give you: It is a small thin snake approx. 4.5" in length it has a flat head with smooth shiny scales it has a reddish orange head and back with a light gray-white underbelly and a bright red stripe running down its length starting at the eyes and there is a dark gray stripe below that one. it does have a very small little forked tongue and the only marking on its underside is a small vertical stripe under its jaw.

Habitat: forest/open woods

State: California

Habitat: forest/open woods

A: Wow, one of the best descriptions of location and animal that we've had Michelle. Thanks so much for being so exact - really helps!!

From your description, it sounds very much to me that it's a Ground Snake (Sonora semiannulata). This snake has many different patterns/colors so can be quite confusing. Check out this website to see if what you saw looks like one of these www.californiaherps.com

As you will quickly see, however, the Ground Snake isn't supposed to live in your part of California. So, if we're correct about this snakes ID, either the range of this snake is inaccurately portrayed, or there have been some released snakes in your area. Sure hope this clears up your mystery. Thanks so much for sharing.

John Wiessinger ( August 29, 2007)