If you're not careful, the venomous snakes can strike, according to Michael Starkey, a wildlife biologist and the founder and ...

Washington state has eight native snake species, but only one native venomous snake: The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake. Examples of non-venomous snakes in Washington include garter snakes, night ...

The one native species of rattlesnake in Washington is the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, which is primarily found in eastern Washington, and can be identified by its triangular head, rattles on ...

A rattlesnake sits in the tall grass along Miwok trail at Round Valley Regional Preserve in May, 2006. The most common variety of rattlesnake on the mountain is the northern pacific, a sub-species ...

The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is the most common rattlesnake found throughout California. There are also six other species that live mainly in the southern part of the state or desert areas.

Photo of a northern Pacific rattlesnake, a highly venomous species that can be found from central California to southwest Canada. yhelfman/Getty. The venom of the northern ...

Although the Northern Pacific rattlesnake can be spotted in the Sacramento area and parts of the Central Valley, you might see more Southern Pacific rattlesnakes on the Central Coast, Starkey said.

While Bay Area hikers may be excited to see many forms of wildlife, they’ll want to avoid the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, and should know how to spot them and react to them safely.

Although the Northern Pacific rattlesnake can be spotted in the Sacramento area and parts of the Central Valley, you might see more Southern Pacific rattlesnakes on the Central Coast, Starkey said.