What Kind of Snake Is Red & Black and Found in Alabama?

Alabama is home to over 60 species of snake which vary in size and coloration. Of these many species, 13 are venomous. Identifying a snake as red and black narrows the possible suspects to just four native species, none of which are venomous. The eastern coral snake does have black and red bands, but they are broken up with yellow stripes.

  1. Rainbow Snake

    • The rainbow snake grows to 66 inches in length and has a slender body. It is mainly black in color, with stripes of red running along the length of its body on both the back and belly. In some snakes the red coloring can be closer to pink. Adults can sometimes have small yellow patches at the side of the head, but young snakes do not have that marking. It is a nonvenomous snake that is often found near water sources such as swamps and rivers.

    Mud Snake

    • The mud snake grows to 81 inches in length and has a thick body. It has a jet black coloration on its body with a checkered pattern on the belly that is deep red to pinkish. The belly pattern does often extend to the snake's sides, and the snake also often has a small amount of yellow coloration to the head which is less noticeable from a distance. It is a highly aquatic species and can often be found in or near rivers and streams.

    Northern Florida Swamp Snake

    • The Northern Florida swamp snake grows to around 15 inches and has a slender body type. It is most common in Florida, but it is also found in southern Alabama. The snake has a jet black back with a deep crimson to pink belly. It is highly aquatic, and can be found in swamp, river and stream habitats as well as in more open grassland and prairies. It is nonvenomous and seldom seen as it tends to hide in undergrowth.

    Northern Red-Bellied Snake

    • The northern red-bellied snake grows to 16 inches in length and has a slender body. It can range from dark gray to black along its back with a dark red belly. It is a terrestrial snake species, and unlike the others is not found in the water. It lives in a range of habitats, from swamp areas to arid grasslands as well as forested and mountainous habitats. It is nonvenomous and might actually play dead if picked up in the wild. It also secretes a musky smell if threatened.