Uniform colors are solid colors, black, brown, tan, orange, yellow, gray, blue or green, without any markings. On some species the color may be darker on the head and neck and become lighter on the back part of the body.

Speckles are small flecks of color. There may be one or more speckles on each scale.

Stripes are narrow lines of color that run lengthwise down the snake's body. They may be only one scale wide or may be several scales wide.

Spots are small rounded marks, usually without a border. They may cover several scales.

Crossbands are bands of color extending across the back and down the sides, but do not cross the belly. The belly frequently is a lighter contrasting color.

Blotches are large squarish or irregular shaped markings, frequently with dark borders. Large rectangular blotches that cross the back resemble crossbands.

Rings are bands of color that extend across the back, down the sides and across the belly to completely encircle the body.

Diamonds are slightly overlapping diamond-shaped blotches running down the middle of the back. They usually have dark borders or dark and light borders.