Snakes, like lizards, are very commonly colored in such a way that they
may harmonize with their surroundings. A good many poisonous forms, on
the other hand, advertise their dangerous properties by brilliant hues
and striking patterns. Such “warning coloration” is seen, for example,
in the coral snakes of tropical America, which are marked with broad red
rings, alternating with others of whitish tint, shading into black at
the front and back of each ring. These coral snakes serve as models
which certain harmless forms unconsciously mimic, thus securing a
certain amount of immunity from attack by sailing under false colors.