On my way home from morning chicken chores I encountered this little guy…
At first glance a bull snake, also called a gopher snake, can be mistaken for a rattlesnake because of its diamond pattern. But the bull snake is generally lighter in color, has a narrower head lacking the characteristic wedge shape of the viper, and of course has no rattles. The bull snake is harmless and even beneficial, usually quite laid-back though this one is agitated because I stepped over it to get the shadow behind me and then turned around and gave it more attention than it felt comfortable with.
In practice there are only three kinds of snakes in the naked desert: Bull snakes (harmless), garter snakes (instantly recognizable with their longitudinal stripe) (harmless), and all the many kinds of rattlesnake, any one of which can completely ruin your day.
I am happy to live and let live where that solution is practical, but there are no non-poisonous snakes.