What kind of snake in Ontario, California, is tan with a checkerboard pattern?

Question

This snake was seen rapidly slithering across the road out in dairy country. My first reaction was that it was a rattlesnake, but I want to be sure. I didn't get a close look to see if there was a rattle on the tail. By the time I parked my car, it was gone. It was tan with a brown pattern, almost like a checkered print, on the body. The head was raised and this snake moved fast.

I researched legless lizards before I posted the question and dismissed them as a consideration because they are striped. The creature I saw had a checkered pattern, not stripes.

Answer 1

Depends on how the head was raised, what shape the head was, and exactly what the pattern was. if the head was raised in a curved manner, it was not a poisonous snake(especially if you could tell the head was not arrow head shaped). If the head was simply tipped upward, it was probably a poisonous snake. Now as for the checkerboard pattern, it sounds like a rattlesnake to me, assuming it was a venomous snake, But copperheads also have that pattern sometimes. nevertheless, assume it was venomous and deadly.

Answer 2

Sounds like a rattlesnake. If you have any doubts just stay away from it. You can usually tell a venomous snake from the diamond shaped head and blunt tail.

Answer 3

King Snake, I'm pretty sure

Answer 4

King snake?

Answer 5

Not to scare, but it could be a diamondback or similar rattlesnake.

I live in the San Gabriel Valley, and hear occasional reports of rattlers.

http://www.desertusa.com/mag01/jan/papr/rsnake.html

Answer 6

There are many snake like that.....maybe it's a water mocassin?

Answer 7

I miss Cali....heck about the snake...don't touch it.

Answer 8

a LEG-less lizard it's true look it up 100% sure

Answer 9

chess snake

Answer 10

i think it actually is a rattlesnake