C. c. coccinea is found exclusively in peninsular Florida,[1] from as far north as Marion County to the southern tip of the state.

The black borders on the blotches often join on the lower sides of the snake forming a line down the length of the body.

The main point of distinction is the number of upper labial scales present in each subspecies: the Florida scarlet snake has 7 upper labial scales, while the northern scarlet snake has 6.

It spends most of its time hidden, emerging to feed on small rodents and lizards, but it has a particular taste for reptile eggs, swallowing them whole or puncturing them and consuming the contents.

[1] Mating occurs in March through June, with 3–8 eggs laid in mid summer, and hatching in early fall.