Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea) is a non-venomous species of colubrid snakes native to the southeastern United States. Scarlet snakes are relatively small snakes, growing to 14-20 inches (36-51 cm) at adult size. They are a base light grey in color, with black bordered red blotches down their back. Their belly is a uniformly light grey color. Their blotches can extend down to the sides of the body, appearing somewhat like banding, which sometimes leads to confusion with the venomous coral snake or the harmless scarlet king snake.