On some species the color may be darker on the head and neck and become lighter on the back part of the body. Speckles are small flecks of color. There may be one or more speckles on each scale. Stripes are narrow lines of color that run lengthwise down the snake's body. They may be only one scale wide or may be several scales wide.
Spots are small rounded marks, usually without a border.
They may cover several scales. Crossbands are bands of color extending across the back and down the sides, but do not cross the belly. The belly frequently is a lighter contrasting color. Blotches are large squarish or irregular shaped markings, frequently with dark borders. Large rectangular blotches that cross the back resemble crossbands.