The Key Differences Between a King Snake and a Coral Snake

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A simple guide to identifying coral & king snakes

Co-authored by Jeff Jensen and Devin McSween

Last Updated: September 18, 2024 Fact Checked

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Color Differences

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Behavioral Differences

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Other Key Differences

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Video

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Tips

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Warnings

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The venomous coral snake has a non-venomous look-alike called the scarlet king snake. Luckily, these snakes have key differences that make it easy to tell them apart. For instance, coral snakes have red and yellow rings that touch while king snakes have black and red rings that touch. In this article, we’ll share the coloring, behavioral, and lifestyle differences between these snakes. Just know that these differences only apply to snakes found in the United States.

King Snake vs Coral Snake: Quick Overview

Coral snakes have red and yellow rings that touch while scarlet king snakes have red and black rings that touch. Coral snakes also have a black head with a short snout while king snakes have a red head and a longer snout.

Section 1 of 3:

Color Differences

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1
Examine the snake's ring pattern. If the red and yellow rings are touching, the snake is a venomous coral snake. If the red and black rings are touching, you’re looking at a non-venomous king snake.^{[1]
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Research source} Herpetology expert Clint Bartley says this simple color check is the easiest way to tell the difference between a coral snake and a scarlet king snake in the US.
- A coral snake’s ring pattern is red, yellow, black, yellow, red.
- A scarlet king snake’s ring pattern is red, black, yellow, black, red.
- Tell other non-venomous snakes in the US apart from coral snakes using this patterning guide. For instance, the milk snake and scarlet snake also have red and black rings that touch.
Determine if the snake’s head is yellow and black or red and black. The coral snake's head is black with a short snout. The scarlet king snake's head is mostly red with an elongated snout.^{[2]
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The venomous coral snake's tail has only black and yellow bands—there are no red rings.^{[3]
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Research source} The non-venomous scarlet king snake's band pattern remains the same throughout the length of his body.^{[4]
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Learn rhymes to tell the difference between the two snakes. People who live in regions where coral and scarlet king snakes are common have made up these easy-to-remember rhymes to help figure out which is which. Bartley recommends learning one to help identify these snakes quickly.
- Red touches yellow, kills a fellow. Red touches black, friend of Jack.
- Red touches yellow, kills a fellow. Red touches black, venom lack.
- Red touches yellow, you're a dead fellow. Red touches black you're all right Jack.
- Red touches yellow, death says hello. Black touches red, keep your head.
- Yellow touches red, you'll be dead. Red touches black, eat Cracker Jacks.
- Think of a stoplight: If yellow and red touch, take caution and stop.^{[5]
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Remember that these rules apply only to snakes in the US. The suggestions in this article only reliably apply to coral snakes native to North America: Micrurus fulvius (Eastern or common coral snake), Micrurus tener (Texas coral snake),^{[6]
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Research source} and Micruroides euryxanthus (Arizona coral snake),^{[7]
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Research source} which are found in the southern and western United States.
- Different coral snake species can have quite different patterns elsewhere in the world. So, no assumptions can be made about the venomous or non-venomous natures of the snake without knowing the species.
- This means that the rhymes don't apply to coral snakes elsewhere, nor to the snakes that mimic them.

Section 2 of 3:

Behavioral Differences

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Coral snakes tend to be more active in the morning. Both coral snakes and scarlet king snakes are nocturnal and like to hide underground or under logs and leaf piles during the day.^{[8]
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Research source} However, coral snakes might be more likely to come above ground during dawn and dusk than king snakes.^{[9]
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- Both coral snakes and scarlet king snakes can also be found in caves and crevices in rocks. So, be very careful when lifting rocks or logs, or entering an underground space.
If you see a colorful snake with a ring pattern climbing a tree, it's probably a non-venomous scarlet king snake.^{[10]
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Research source} Scarlet king snakes are excellent climbers, while coral snakes very rarely climb trees.^{[11]
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Research source} You should still look carefully to make sure it's not a coral snake, and play it safe by not getting too close.
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Check for defensive tail-wagging behavior in coral snakes. When coral snakes feel threatened, they often move their tails and heads back and forth to try to confuse their predators. Scarlet king snakes don't display this behavior. If you see a snake wagging its head and tail strangely, it's probably a coral, so stay back.^{[12]
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- Coral snakes are very reclusive, so it's extremely rare to see them in the wild. They are not aggressive and only strike when they feel extremely threatened or are picked up. If you see one, keep your distance.
- If very threatened, king snakes may vibrate the tip of their tail on the ground to make a buzzing or rattling sound. However, like coral snakes, they aren’t aggressive and only attack when threatened.^{[13]
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Watch out for a coral snake's venomous bite. In order to inject its venom, a coral snake must clamp its fangs into its prey and “chew” for several seconds. The coral snake venom contains neurotoxins that can lead to paralysis, respiratory failure, and in rare cases, death.^{[14]
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- A coral snake bite is not usually painful at first. If it injected its venom, it can be a few hours before you show symptoms. Symptoms often include nausea, slurred speech, double vision, numbness, muscle spasms, and weakness.^{[15]
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- If you ever get bitten by a coral snake, call 911 or seek medical attention immediately, even if the bite doesn’t hurt or look serious. Stay calm and remove constrictive clothing and jewelry while you wait for help.^{[16]
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Section 3 of 3:

Other Key Differences

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Different species of king snakes are found all across the United States, from New Jersey to California.^{[17]
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Research source} There are only 3 species of coral snakes in the US. The Eastern coral snake is found along the coast from North Carolina to Louisiana, while the Texas and Arizona coral snakes are found in their respective states.^{[18]
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Coral snakes catch and paralyze their prey by injecting them with the venom in their fangs.^{[19]
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Research source} King snakes wrap their bodies around their prey and constrict them, preventing them from receiving air.^{[20]
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King snakes can eat larger prey. Both coral snakes and king snakes typically eat lizards and small snakes.^{[21]
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Research source} Larger king snakes often eat small birds and mammals, unlike coral snakes.^{[22]
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- King snakes received their name because they eat other types of snakes, including venomous ones.
While different species can have different lifespans, king snakes generally live for 15 to 20 years.^{[23]
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Research source} Coral snakes typically have a lifespan around 10 years.^{[24]
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Scarlet king snakes and coral snakes are typically around the same size, which usually ranges between 14 to 36 inches (35-91 cm) long.^{[25]
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Warnings

If you’re not sure whether a snake is venomous or not, do not pick it up. Pest control specialist Elmer Bensinger says if the snake is in your yard or home, call a professional snake handler to remove it.

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Use caution whenever you’re in areas where snakes are found. For instance, look before stepping into leaf piles or picking up logs. Wear heavy shoes and long pants when walking in their preferred habitats.^{[26]
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Remember that the “red touches yellow” rule doesn’t work in areas outside of the United States. For example, the "Micrurus frontalis", which is a breed of coral snake found in South America, has a color pattern of red, black, yellow, black, yellow, black, red. Even though red touches black (and red doesn’t touch yellow), this snake is very venomous.^{[27]
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