DESCRIPTION: L=13-21" (33-53cm); slender (pencil-thick at best). Overall aposematically-colored with bands of red, yellow (or white), and black that completely encircle the snake's body. The snout is black. The coral snake has many Batesian mimics (non-venomous snakes mimicking the coral snake), but only the coral snake has all the following characteristics: a blunt, black snout (to behind the eyes), bands that completely encircle the body, and yellow bands touching red bands. Have round pupils.
NATURAL HISTORY: Venomous, but you are unlikely to be bitten unless handling the snake. Drop for drop the venom is 2-3 times more potent than the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, but because they have smaller fangs and inject less venom, there have been no recorded deaths from this species (unlike its eastern counterpart). See also section on Venomous Animals. When threatened, coral snakes will go into a coil, with their head usually buried under their body and their tail waving up like a fake head. At the same time they evert their anal lining to create a popping sound. This popping may serve to further the perception of the tail as the head, may serve as an additional warning display, may be used to startle a potential predator, or may be used for other reasons.

Arizona Coral Snakes are carnivorous, feeding mainly on blind snakes (Leptotyphlops), which are about the size of worms, but they also occasionally feed on other small snakes and lizards. They are usually diurnal in the spring, nocturnal in the summer (when they are most commonly seen), and both in the fall (rarely come above ground during winter). Lays eggs.