I found a snake in my yard. can u help me identify it please?

Question

this snake looked strange. I live in mid-eastern Louisiana and tried to find a snake on line that matched it but was unsuccessful. It was approximately 36 inches long and 1 1/2 in diameter at the fattest point. it had a black tongue and head, no spots, as i thought it might be a speckled king snake which are common down here. it was black from the head down about 10 to 12 inches and then changed to orangish-red all the way to the tail. it seemed fairly timid. not really in a hurry to escape and at one point scared me cause of its curiosity and when it came toward me. do you have any ideas?

Answer 1

as everyone else has said - coachwhip.

here's a pic of one with more vivid colours:

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e209/i...

Answer 2

Definitely an eastern coachwip. The color can vary.

Answer 3

somebody may have purchased that snake at a exotic store got tired of it and let is go...that's the only thing i can think of.... :]

Answer 4

Maybe an Eastern Coachwhip?  They do have dark heads and lighter bodies; the body color and markings can vary.