Randy Babb photo.

Scientific name: Cemophora coccinea coccinea

Description: Average adult size is 14-20 inches (36-51 cm), record is 32.5 inches (82.8 cm). Adult color is a whitish-gray dorsal ground color with red blotches bordered by black. The head is red with a distinct light colored band just behind the eyes. The belly pattern is uniformly whitish-gray. The scales are smooth., and there are 19 dorsal scale rows at midbody. There are 7 scales on the upper lip, and the pupil is round. Juvenile color is like that of adults.

Scarlet snake: Left to right: Top of the head (notice the large plate-like scales on the top of the head); underside of the head (chin and throat).

Scarlet snake: Left to right: Side of the head; front (face view) of the head.

Range: In Florida, it is found from around Marion Co. south to the southern tip of Florida. It is not found outside of Florida.

Habitat: Commonly found in pine flatwoods, dry prairies, hardwood hammocks, and sandhills.

Comments: . The Florida scarlet snake is locally abundant, but rarely seen due to its secretive nature. It lives mostly underground, in or under logs, or burrowed under tree bark. It is nocturnal and sometimes seen after dark crossing roads.

It feeds on small snakes, lizards, rodents, and reptile eggs.

It lays eggs. Breeding occurs from March through June, and typically 3-8 eggs are laid from May through August. Newborns are 5-6 inches (12-15 cm) in length.

Comparison with other species: The scarlet snake is often confused with the scarlet kingsnake and the coral snake, but it is easy to distinguish between these three species look-alike species. The scarlet kingsnake (Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides) possesses colored rings that go entirely around its belly. The eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius fulvius) has a rounded black snout and its red rings touch its yellow rings.

Top of this Page — Guide to the Snakes of Florida
Checklist of Florida Amphibians and Reptiles — Florida Herpetology