ID please

My dad lives in Florida and they said they found this snake. I'm thinking it's a coral snake, but the pattern on the back is so broken up it's hard to tell. From the pictures I found the head colors match. I'd like an ID please.

Not sure why they handled it without knowing what type it is :rolleyes:

http://i47.tinypic.com/2ewcmyq.jpg

Yes, that is a coral snake and please tell them not to free handle it anymore.

I don't think that's a coral snake. Here is a coral snake that was on my back patio.

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...9/imag0384.jpg

That's definitely 100% a coral snake.

It Is CORAL SNAKE !!! Definitely DON'T HANDLE IT WITH BARE HAND :rage::rage::rage:

While I've never seen one that aberrant the intact patterns on head and general shape of the animal is unmistakable.

“Red on yellow, poison fellow; red on black, safe from attack.” "Red on yellow, kill a fellow; "Red on black, friend of Jack"; and "Red into black, venom lack; red into yellow, kill a fellow."

Not like I Agree with killing snakes but that simple folklore saying describe a northern American coral snakes...

That rules don't apply to central or south American corals thou....

The pattern threw me off also but the head was such a huge indicator. I've strongly advised him to not let anyone handle it anymore :rolleyes: and to not do that in the future, especially living in Florida lol. He promised to release it some place safe and far from people.

I'm glad that he wasn't bitten!

I've never seen a coral snake with a reduced pattern like that. Pretty cool.