The rosy boa lives in the hottest, driest mountain ranges in southwestern Arizona. The medium-size boa can grow to be up to 37 inches long. Three wide brown, black or orange bands run the length of the snake's body. The rosy boa hunts birds and small mammals mostly at night and in the early morning. This snake is from the boa family that includes the giant anacondas and boa constrictors found in South America.
Three subspecies of the common kingsnake live in Arizona, most commonly where there is access to water. The Western Black Kingsnake is all black or dark brown and usually found near the Mexican border in southern Arizona. The Desert Kingsnake, found in southeastern Arizona, has yellow speckles on its sides and thin yellow bands on its back. Common Kingsnakes found throughout the rest of the state are likely to be California Kingsnakes, which have white bands on a dark brown or black body. These large constrictors can reach lengths of 56 inches. Common Kingsnakes prey on birds, small mammals, amphibians and reptiles, including rattlesnakes.
The Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake's red, black and white bands make it look similar to the milksnake. The white snout distinguishes this constrictor, which lives in mountain ranges and rocky slopes. The Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake is a medium-size snake, growing up to 43 inches in length. It hunts primarily in the early morning or dusk, feeding on birds, lizards and small mammals, including bats.
Adult green ratsnakes are olive, lime or yellow-green with a yellow underside. This constrictor snake is more common in Mexico, but also resides on steep, rocky slopes in southeastern Arizona. The green ratsnake grows to be about 39 inches long and feeds on birds and rodents.
The gophersnake prefers the foothills and flatlands of Arizona. This snake grows to be as long as 92 inches, longer than any other snake found in the state. The gophersnake has a tan, yellow or pale gray body covered with dorsal blotches on its back. It is sometimes confused with a rattlesnake. This constrictor has variety in its diet, preying on insects, rodents, snakes, birds and rabbits.
The long-nosed snake is a constrictor found in southern and western parts of Arizona. The snake has wide black bands and narrow white bands that are sometimes speckled red. This snake prefers to hunt whiptail lizards in flatlands and valleys during the cooler nights.
