Scarlet Kingsnake
Lampropeltis elapsoides · Colubridae
Also called: Scarlet King, Milk Snake mimic
A harmless coral snake mimic. Its red bands touch black bands — 'red touches black, friend of Jack' — separating it from the venomous coral snake.
What the Scarlet Kingsnake looks like
How to identify it
- 1Bright red, black and yellow/white bands
- 2Red bands touch black bands (red-on-black)
- 3Red snout (coral snakes have a black snout)
- 4Slender, glossy body
Snakes it's confused with
Venomous; red touches yellow and the snout is black.
Behavior & danger to humans
Shy and harmless; almost never bites.
✓ Good news: Harmless mimic. Use the snout color and band order to tell it from a coral snake.
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