Want to know how to tell the difference between a venomous coral snake and a nonvenomous look-alike called the scarlet king snake? The nonvenomous California mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata) and the scarlet kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides) are two species often confused for the deadly eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius). King snakes are often killed because they're mistaken for coral snakes. Scarlet kingsnake - NONVENOMOUS Native EASY ID: RED SNOUT Although the scarlet kingsnake and northern scarlet snake resemble the venomous coral snake, they are harmless. Coral snakes are beautiful but dangerous while scarlet kink snakes are almost identical in beauty but not harmful to humans. Quick word: Unfortunately, it’s common for king snakes to get killed because they’re confused with coral snakes. Coral Snake is an excellent swimmer! by Bob Yirka , Phys.org A scarlet king snake, basically harmless, is mostly red with smaller bands of black and yellow. Scarlet king snakes and coral snake are mistaken so often because they both are stripped snakes with yellow, red, and black strips. Scarlet snakes are one of the three "tricolored" snakes in our region and, like the harmless scarlet kingsnake, have red bands that do not touch yellow bands. Perhaps one of the most disturbing things about the Eastern Coral snake is its bite. The scarlet king snake sports the same distinctive banding pattern as the coral snake, and in the same colors. Other Major Differences Between Coral Snakes and Scarlet King Snakes. Eastern Coral vs Scarlet King Snake . For example, the California kingsnake, with its distinct black and white bands, is unique in its appearance. Coral Snake Coral snakes are most notable for their red, yellow/white, and black colored banding. This snake is famous for its resemblance to the much feared and deadly coral snake, which inhabits many of the same areas as the scarlet kingsnake. Scarlet kingsnakes and scarlet snakes have red, pointed noses. The scarlet kingsnake was once believed to have intergraded with the eastern milk snake, which produced a variation once named the Coastal Plains milk snake L. t. temporalis, but this is no longer recognized as a legitimate taxon. You’re most likely to encounter a snake that looks like a coral snake, such as a scarlet kingsnake, Sonoran shovel-nosed snake, red rat snake, or Florida scarlet snake. Scarlet Kingsnake : Lampropeltis triangulum Photo Alan Cressler ©. (Several nonvenomous species have similar coloration, however, including the Scarlet Kingsnake, the Milk Snake, and the Chionactis occipitalis annulata.) In this figure, you have the non-venomous scarlet kingsnake (a) on the left and the highly venomous eastern coral snake (b) on the right. Generally, the only similarity the kingsnake and the coral snake have is in size, both usually ranging 2-4 ft in length. Generally, the only similarity the kingsnake and the coral snake have is in size, both usually ranging 2-4 ft in length. Comparison with other species: The Scarlet Kingsnake is frequently mistaken for the venomous Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) or the non-venomous Scarlet Snake (Cemophora cocinnea), but it really is easy to distinguish between the three species. Many of you would easily find that coral snakes and king snakes are much similar, and it is fair enough, as one is trying to mimic the other to pretend the danger that it is capable.