Species profile
Coast Nightsnake
Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha
Identify Coast Nightsnake (Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Coast Nightsnake (Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 1,321 research-grade iNaturalist observations, concentrated in California.
Notable details
- Strictly nocturnal, it emerges after dark to hunt lizards and small frogs.
- Rear-placed fangs deliver mild venom that subdues prey but poses no danger to humans.
- Typically under 20 inches long — one of California's most slender small snakes.
- Distinctive dark blotches just behind the head give it a collared appearance.
- Gray-brown blotching provides near-perfect camouflage among coastal rocks and chaparral.
Where Coast Nightsnake are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Coast Nightsnake
Background
Hypsiglena ochrorhynchus, also known commonly as the coast night snake and the spotted night snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to California in the United States and to the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. There are eight recognized subspecies.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Coast Nightsnake article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other reptiles on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Coast Nightsnake?
Coast Nightsnake (Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Coast Nightsnake?
Coast Nightsnake is Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha.
Is Coast Nightsnake regulated for fishing?
Yes — Coast Nightsnake has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Coast Nightsnake?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Coast Nightsnake along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.