Identification: 15-42 in. Long, slender with snout black with repeating black, red and yellow rings encircling the whole body. However, there are no red rings on the tail portion of the body; scales smooth. The rhyme " red on yellow kill a fellow, red on black friend of Jack" helps differentiate coral snakes from the harmless snakes with similar colors. Warning: Venomous!
Habit: They are found in wooded areas hidden in leaf litter, in logs and under logs.
Distribution: Most of Louisiana except the marshes and Atchafalaya Basin; see map for individual parishes.
