"red and yellow kill a fellow" works without fail in north america, but not in the tropics or south america...

coral snakes are actually, possibly, the most toxic venomous snake in the states. they have a NASTY neurotoxin (as opposed to hematoxins(?) in rattlers, copperheads, and cottonmouths). to be bit by a coral snake would be horrendous, but they are actually very docile animals and because of their size, would only be able to get their jaws around your pinky, nose, little toes... so they don't pose that great a threat to adults.

nice pix ksjumpmd!