Coral Snake vs King Snake - What's the Difference?

What is a Coral Snake?

A coral snake is a venomous species of snake that is native to Central and South America, as well as parts of the southern United States. These snakes have a distinct pattern of red, yellow, and black bands around their bodies. They are often confused with the non-venomous king snake. It is important to be able to tell the difference between the two snakes.

What is a King Snake?

A king snake is a non-venomous species of snake that is native to the United States, Mexico, and Central America. They have a pattern of black, white, and red bands around their bodies, which is similar to the coral snake. However, the bands of the king snake are in a different order than the coral snake.

How to Tell the Difference Between a Coral Snake and a King Snake

The easiest way to tell the difference between a coral snake and a king snake is to remember the rhyme "Red touch yellow, kill a fellow. Red touch black, venom lack." This rhyme is referring to the pattern of the bands on the snakes. A coral snake has a pattern of red, yellow, and black bands, while a king snake has a pattern of red, black, and yellow bands.

What to Do if You Spot a Coral Snake

If you spot a coral snake, it is important to stay away from it. You should never try to touch or pick up a coral snake. Instead, you should call your local wildlife control to come and remove the snake from your property.

Where to Find a King Snake

King snakes are commonly found in wooded areas, near fields, and near streams. They are most active during the day and can often be found sunning themselves on rocks or logs. If you spot a king snake in your yard, you can safely leave it alone as they are non-venomous.

Coral Snake Diet

Coral snakes feed on small animals such as lizards, frogs, and other snakes. They use their venom to immobilize their prey before eating them. They are also known to eat eggs and small rodents.

King Snake Diet

King snakes are non-venomous predators that feed on small animals such as lizards, frogs, mice, birds, and other snakes. They are also known to eat eggs and small rodents.

Conclusion

Coral snakes and king snakes are two species of snake that are often confused for one another due to their similar pattern of red, yellow, and black bands. It is important to be able to tell the difference between the two snakes. The easiest way to tell the difference is to remember the rhyme "Red touch yellow, kill a fellow. Red touch black, venom lack." If you spot a coral snake, it is important to stay away from it and call your local wildlife control to come and remove the snake.