Snakes and spiders in Tooele County, Utah
Tooele County, home of Tooele, has 8 snake and 5 spider species on record, from 309 licensed snake and 206 spider records. Venomous species here: the western rattlesnake and the western black widow.
Are there venomous snakes or spiders in Tooele County?
Yes. The western rattlesnake: 14 licensed records, 3% of all Utah records of it. The western black widow: 7 licensed records, 5% of all Utah records of it.
What snakes are in Tooele County?
In all, 8 snake species are on the Tooele County list. The most recorded are the striped whipsnake (86), the eastern racer (77) and the gopher snake (74).
| # | Species | Records | Share of Utah records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Striped whipsnake Masticophis taeniatus | 86 | 38% |
| 2 | Eastern racer Coluber constrictor | 77 | 22% |
| 3 | Gopher snake Pituophis catenifer | 74 | 15% |
| 4 | Western terrestrial garter snake Thamnophis elegans | 32 | 3% |
| 5 | Western rattlesnake venomous Crotalus oreganus | 14 | 3% |
| 6 | Desert nightsnake Hypsiglena chlorophaea | 7 | 14% |
| 7 | Central plains milksnake Lampropeltis gentilis | 2 | 25% |
| 8 | Long-nosed snake Rhinocheilus lecontei | 1 | 6% |
When are snakes out in Tooele County?
Observation records of snakes in Tooele County run mostly June through August, peaking in July with 50% of them; across Utah the peak is May.
What spiders are in Tooele County?
In all, 5 spider species are on the Tooele County list. The most recorded are the western black widow (7), the banded garden spider (6) and the bold jumper (2).
| # | Species | Records | Share of Utah records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western black widow venomous Latrodectus hesperus | 7 | 5% |
| 2 | Banded garden spider Argiope trifasciata | 6 | 16% |
| 3 | Bold jumper Phidippus audax | 2 | 1% |
| 4 | Bay Area blonde Aphonopelma iodius | — | — |
| 5 | Western spotted orbweaver Neoscona oaxacensis | — | — |
What stands out in Tooele County
Species for which Tooele County holds a large share of all Utah records: the striped whipsnake, 38% (86 of 227); the eastern racer, 22% (77 of 347).
Common in Utah, not on the Tooele County list
Among the snakes most recorded across Utah, these do not reach the county list: the prairie rattlesnake (102 statewide), the common garter snake (57 statewide), the northern rubber boa (49 statewide), the California kingsnake (43 statewide), the coachwhip (31 statewide) and the western ground snake (27 statewide). Few records here can mean the species is rare in the county, or that few people have looked.
Among the spiders most recorded across Utah, these do not reach the county list: the zebra spider (124 statewide), the California flattened jumping spider (46 statewide), Habronattus festus (46 statewide), Sassacus papenhoei (44 statewide), Pelegrina aeneola (40 statewide) and the triangulate bud spider (40 statewide). Few records here can mean the species is rare in the county, or that few people have looked.
Harmless lookalikes in Tooele County
No copperheads reach the county list, and GBIF holds no copperhead record for Utah under any license, so one reported here is most likely a harmless lookalike: the central plains milksnake. Rattlesnakes are on the county list, and so are harmless species often taken for them: the gopher snake. No coral snakes reach the county list, and GBIF holds no coral snake record for Utah under any license, so one reported here is most likely a harmless lookalike: the central plains milksnake and the long-nosed snake.
Tooele County among Utah counties
By licensed snake records Tooele County ranks 4th of 29 Utah counties with any.
Other Utah counties with their own page: Salt Lake County, Washington County and Utah County.
The whole state: venomous species in Utah, all snakes, all spiders.
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.