Alternate Name(s):

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

Characteristics:

This is a tricolored (or bicolored—sometimes the red is lacking) snake with bands and saddles. The red and the white areas are flecked with black and the black saddles with yellow. The belly is white to pale yellow with a few black spots. This snake is a relatively weak constrictor. The nose is rather sharply pointed and is often red. When sufficiently frightened this snake will auto-hemorrhage through the cloaca, mixing blood with feces and musk and smearing it about. Scales are smooth.

Unique Features:

The sharp nose and flecked bands will help identify this pretty snake.

Habitat and Diet:

May be found in prairielands to brushy desert.Prey, mammals, birds, lizards, and smaller snakes.

Geographic Range:

TX, AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, NV, UT, NM, OK