Rhinocheilus lecontei tessellatus is a subspecies of nonvenomous colubrid snake, which is native to the western United States and northern Mexico.

This color pattern gives it an appearance vaguely similar to that of a venomous coral snake, Micrurus tener or Micruroides euryxanthus.

[2] In some western localities the red coloration can be greatly reduced, giving it a black and white banded appearance, and in other localities the red appears more orange or even pink in color.

Rhinocheilus lecontei differs from all other harmless snakes in the United States by having undivided subcaudal plates.

R. l. tessellatus feeds on lizards and amphibians, sometimes smaller snakes and, infrequently, rodents.