Your next visit to California’s poppy fields may come with a rattling surprise. VIDEO | 00:14 Mojave “Green” rattlesnake in the flower fieldThe snake appeared to be a Mojave rattlesnake, often called a “Mojave green,” known to inhabit areas of the Antelope Valley, which is part of the Western Mojave Desert. AdvertisementAbout 50 snake species can be found in California, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife . Seven native rattlesnake species are in California, including the Mojave, Western diamondback, red diamond, Southern Pacific, Northern Pacific, Great Basin, and the speckled rattlesnake. For visitors heading to the poppy fields, currently in peak bloom through May, here’s what to do if you encounter a snake.

Source: Los Angeles Times March 23, 2026 21:50 UTC