[citation needed] The specific name, lecontei, commemorates American entomologist John Lawrence Le Conte (1825–1883).

[5] The long-nosed snake is distinguished by a long, slightly upturned snout, which is the origin of its common name.

It is tricolor, vaguely resembling a coral snake, with black and red saddling on a yellow or cream-colored background.

[citation needed] The long-nosed snake is not apt to bite, but will release a foul smelling musk and blood[9] from the cloaca as a defense mechanism if harassed.

[1] R. lecontei is found in northern Mexico from San Luis Potosí to Chihuahua, and into the southwestern United States, in California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, New Mexico, southeastern Colorado, southwestern Kansas,[8] Oklahoma,[10] and Texas.