All snakes are protected here, but I don't care. we really have three venomous snakes, Timber rattler, Water Moccasin and copperhead. We are supposed to have coral snakes here but I have never seen one or heard of any encounter with one. I give a pass to all non venomous ones, but the ones that will hurt you gotta go. I took this one to the grandson to skin out. That rattler was coiled up by her truck door last night. she went to get in and the cat alerted her to it.