Rubber Boas in Utah

[uintahiker]

A while back I was looking around the DWR website at the different animals here in Utah. I was surprised to see a rubber boa on the list http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/Search/Display.asp?FlNm=charbott

After seeing that they're here, I'd always wanted to find one. Saturday I was out for a hike up City Creek Canyon and did find one! It was pretty cool.

Has anyone else found a rubber boa when they've been hiking?

[Brian in SLC]

I've seen a couple in American Fork, and, one in Big Cottonwood. Also have seen two up in Idaho near Almo. Cute little fellers!

A friend ran into one last week while climbing in AF.

[apcronnelly]

A few weeks back I saw a green one stretched across the trail to willow lake in BCC.

[rwpontius]

Several years ago I saw one on the Lewis Peak Trail near Ogden.
RP

[uintahiker]

I'll post a pic or two when I get my camera. Cool snakes!

[Glockguy]

I had no idea those were around here. Cool little animals.

[homerj]

I've seen them all over while hiking around Cache Valley...

[uintahiker]

47021
Didn't get a very good shot- but here it is.

[Brian in SLC]

Cool!

[mhambi]

I caught one on the Upper Falls trail in Provo Canyon. Until then I had no idea they were around here either. Cool snakes.

[hike2kolob]

I caught one on the Upper Falls trail in Provo Canyon. Until then I had no idea they were around here either. Cool snakes.

Do they bite? :)

[accadacca]

Odd looking fellers.

[mhambi]

Do they bite? :)

The one I caught didn't. From what I've read, it's pretty hard to get them to bite... they're more likely to wrap up around your wrist for the warmth and stay there.

[pixie1339]

I saw one a little over a week ago on the Lake Blanche trail. Pretty cool.

[live2ride]

I saw one about 14 years ago when I was grouse hunting and we all had no idea what it was, it was just a little baby and only about 10 inches long. I remember one of the guys went to pick it up and thought it was the tail he was grabbing but it was the head, the little guy was very laid back and didn't even care. I had no idea what it was so I wanted nothing to do with the little dude. We were up by Willard Peak when I saw it.

[homerj]

The one I caught didn't. From what I've read, it's pretty hard to get them to bite... they're more likely to wrap up around your wrist for the warmth and stay there.

From Wikipedia:

Rubber Boas are considered one of the most docile of the boa species and are often used to help people overcome their fear of snakes . Rubber Boas are known to never strike at or bite a human under any circumstances but will release a potent musk from their vent if they feel threatened.
I don't know if I believe the "never strike at or bite a human under any circumstances" part.... I imagine if you really tried you could get it to bite you.

[Don]

Josh and I nearly stepped on one of these on the Lake Blanch trail yesterday morning. I had no idea what I was looking at. After some browsing Utah DNR site for a few minutes I found the rubber boa, and then a google search for 'rubber boa utah' put this thread as the #2 search result. Interesting looking snake that's for sure.
Here's a crappy pic from my phone:

56919

[bigred72]

We see them at snowbasin/sardine all the time.

[zzyzx]

...interesting thread.
Never seen this kind of snakes.
Thx for sharing

[Sandstone Addiction]

I had never seen one of these until this year and have seen quite a few in Maple Canyon (by Mapleton, not the famous climbing one by Moroni). Actually have seen lots of snakes this year, more than usual for some reason...

[Brian in SLC]

57026

Rubber boa at Castle Rock in Idaho...

[DesertDuke]

From Wikipedia:
..... but will release a potent musk from their vent if they feel threatened

Describes a few of the neighborhood kids around here.

[Sombeech]

Almost ran over a little guy on the trail the other day up by Snowbasin. At first I thought it was a snake all covered in trail dust.