Snakes Around Utah Homes in Fall: What to Know Before Winter

A snake stretched across a warm driveway in late September may be on its way to a winter den. Utah State University Extension notes that garter snakes travel to and from communal dens every spring and fall, and only seven of Utah's 31 snake species produce venom.

That still leaves the question of which snake is in front of you. It helps to know how to tell a gopher snake from a rattlesnake, and what Utah DWR actually tells homeowners to do.

Why snakes show up in the fall

Snakes cannot make their own body heat, so Utah's cold season forces them underground. The National Park Service notes that Great Basin rattlesnakes hibernate through the winter in communal burrows. (National Park Service: Great Basin Rattlesnake) Getting to those dens means moving, and moving means crossing yards, sidewalks, and driveways.

Garter snakes make the trip in numbers. Utah State University Extension describes them gathering at large communal dens that can include rock piles, outcroppings, and even the foundations of abandoned buildings, essentially any open space below the frost line. They migrate to and from those dens in spring and fall, which is why a lawn can suddenly seem full of them. (USU Extension: Slithering Snakes Spotted in Parks and Lawns)

There is one more fall factor. The Park Service notes that Great Basin rattlesnakes give birth to live young between August and October. Small rattlesnakes can be out and about right when people are raking leaves and putting away patio furniture.

How many Utah snakes are venomous?

USU Extension counts 31 snake species in Utah and notes that only seven produce venom. (USU Extension: Venomous or Not Venomous?) The one you are most likely to meet is the Great Basin rattlesnake. Utah DWR identifies it as the most common of the state's five rattlesnake species and a subspecies of the western rattlesnake. (Utah DWR: How to Avoid Conflicts with Rattlesnakes)

DWR says rocky benches, high-elevation slopes, and dry canyons are the most common places to run into rattlesnakes, but they also turn up at lower elevations and in open areas. Homes on the benches and near canyon mouths along the Wasatch Front sit close to that kind of habitat.

Gopher snake or rattlesnake?

This is the classic mix-up. DWR calls gopher snakes, also known as bull snakes, very abundant in Utah, and says they are often mistaken for rattlesnakes. When a gopher snake feels threatened, it hisses loudly, flattens its head into a triangle, curls into an S shape, and vibrates its tail.

DWR's field marks:

• Tail. A rattlesnake's tail is wide and blunt with a rattle at the end. A gopher snake's tail is slender and pointed with no rattle.
• Head and eyes. Rattlesnakes have broad, triangular heads and vertical pupils. Utah's non-venomous snakes tend to have longer snouts and round pupils.
• Rattle or not. Rattlesnakes can lose their rattles, and some do not rattle when disturbed. Silence proves nothing.

If you cannot tell, DWR says to move away and treat the snake as venomous.

What to do when you find a snake near the house

DWR's guidance for a rattlesnake encounter works for any snake you are unsure about:

• Stay calm and stay at least 10 feet away.
• Do not try to kill it. DWR says rattlesnakes are protected under Utah law, that killing one is illegal, and that trying greatly increases the chance of a bite.
• Do not throw rocks or sticks. A rattlesnake may move toward you as it tries to get away.
• Keep children and pets back, and tell anyone nearby where the snake is.
• If you hear a rattle, find where it is coming from before you move.

Catching and moving a snake yourself is not a good shortcut. Utah regulates collecting and keeping native reptiles under DWR rule R657-53, and native venomous snakes such as rattlesnakes require a DWR certificate of registration. Handling any snake also puts you within striking range.

DWR notes that an individual rattlesnake will usually move on from a spot within a short time, and that there is no need to kill one out of fear that it will come back. If a rattlesnake keeps turning up in a yard or play area, you can contact the nearest DWR office. If a snake has gotten into a garage, a crawl space, or somewhere else around the structure, our snake removal team can help.

If someone is bitten

DWR calls a rattlesnake bite a serious medical emergency. Get to a hospital as quickly as possible. Do not try to suck out venom, and do not put heat, cold, or a tourniquet on the bite. USU also advises removing rings or other tight items before swelling starts, and says not to cut the wound.

For dogs, DWR points out that not every emergency veterinary hospital keeps antivenom on hand. It is worth finding out now which one near you does.

Fall yard work that pays off next spring

The same checklist DWR gives for keeping rattlesnakes out of yards makes a property less appealing to snakes in general:

• Clear out brush, wood, rock, and junk piles that give snakes shelter.
• Control rodents. DWR notes that bird feeders can draw rodents, and rodents draw snakes.
• Block off crawl spaces and large holes under sheds and porches.
• Do not leave standing water in the yard.

Wear gloves and use tools rather than bare hands when you move piles. If you find snakes gathered in a pile or think you have found a den, stop, leave it alone and call us. Utah rule R657-53 prohibits knowingly disturbing a reptile den without a wildlife document. If mice or rats are part of the picture, our rodent exclusion service seals the gaps they use. Our guide to how wildlife gets into Utah homes covers the foundation and crawl space openings worth checking.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Snake removal service
• Rodent exclusion service
• How wildlife gets into Utah homes