Caution: this snake can kill you.

General Description: A long, thin, snake marked with red, yellow, and black bands. The red and yellow bands are adjacent ("red and yellow -- kill a fellow"), and the snout is black (black lips bring the kiss of death). Black flecks in the red bands can obscure the red color, some snakes are all black, and some species of coral snake have white bands rather than yellow.

Taxonomy: Cobra Family (Elaphidae)

Technical Description: Females can grow to over 3 feet, males are smaller. No distinct neck.

Diet: Primarily other snakes, also lizards.

Habitat:

Range: Coastal and south Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and south into Mexico.

Breeding:

Similar Species: Other southern and southeastern coral snakes are similar, but the Arizona coral snake is more clearly red, white (not yellow), and black.

Comments: This snake can kill you. The venom is a neurotoxin that works to paralyze the breathing muscles. The death rate is about 10% overall (including dry bites), although perhaps 40% for people who are actually injected with venom.

Although not always correct, remember the ditty: Red on yellow -- kill a fellow; red on black, friend of jack. Another version is: Red touches yellow, dangerous fellow; red touches black, friend to Jack. Also, even more conservatively: Black lips bring the kiss of death.