Brightly colored snakes with red, black, and yellow bands often trigger immediate alarm, leading to confusion between highly venomous species and their harmless counterparts. The primary concern in North America is distinguishing the venomous Coral Snake from its non-venomous look-alikes. A venomous animal actively delivers its toxins via a bite or sting, unlike a poisonous animal which poses a threat through touch or consumption. This article provides clear, reliable identification methods for these red-banded snakes.
Characteristics of the Highly Venomous Coral Snake
The Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) is a member of the Elapidae family, making it a relative of cobras. This slender reptile is found primarily in the southeastern United States, ranging from North Carolina down to Florida and west into eastern Louisiana. It prefers habitats with well-drained, sandy soils, such as pine flatwoods and scrublands, often remaining secretive and spending much of its time underground or beneath leaf litter.
The venom produced by the Coral Snake is a potent neurotoxin that affects the nervous system. The neurotoxin may cause little initial discomfort, but its effects can be delayed for several hours. The venom disrupts the connection between the brain and muscles, potentially leading to symptoms like slurred speech, muscular weakness, and eventually respiratory failure if untreated. Despite the potency of its venom, the Coral Snake is generally reclusive and accounts for a small number of annual snake bites in the United States.
The Harmless Look-Alikes
The highly visible pattern of the Coral Snake is mimicked by several non-venomous species, a phenomenon known as Batesian mimicry. This strategy provides protection to harmless animals by making them resemble a dangerous one, thereby deterring potential predators. The two most common mimics are the Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum) and the Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea), which share the same sequence of red, black, and yellow or white bands.
The Scarlet Kingsnake, a subspecies of the Milk Snake, is one of the most convincing look-alikes, closely matching the Coral Snake’s tricolored pattern. These mimics are found throughout much of the same geographical range as the Coral Snake. Although the color scheme is the same, the exact arrangement of the bands is the distinguishing factor that separates the harmless species from the venomous one.
The Definitive Identification Method
The most reliable way to differentiate the venomous Coral Snake from its harmless mimics is by carefully observing the order in which the colored bands touch each other. This distinction is encapsulated in a well-known mnemonic device used in the United States: “Red and yellow, kill a fellow; Red and black, friend of Jack”.
In a venomous Coral Snake, the wide red bands are always bordered by the narrow yellow or white bands, meaning the red and yellow colors touch. Conversely, in the non-venomous look-alikes, the red bands are bordered by the black bands, meaning red and black touch. The yellow or white bands in the mimics separate the black bands from each other.
The physical features of the head also offer a secondary method of identification to support the color rule. The Coral Snake has a blunt, solid black snout extending back to behind its eyes, followed immediately by a yellow band. Harmless mimics typically have a colorful snout, often red, which immediately differentiates them from the Coral Snake’s black head. Additionally, the Coral Snake’s colored bands completely encircle the body, while the bands on some mimics may become incomplete on the belly.
This color rule is primarily reliable for the Coral Snakes found in the United States and should not be applied to species found in other parts of the world. Furthermore, some rare, atypical color patterns and regional variations can occasionally be found. Therefore, a safe distance must always be maintained regardless of the initial identification.
Snake Safety and Encounter Protocol
When encountering any snake in the wild, the safest protocol is to assume it is venomous and maintain a significant distance. Snakes will almost always attempt to avoid human contact and will only strike if they feel threatened or are handled. If a snake is encountered, remain calm and still, then slowly move away from the reptile’s immediate area.
Never attempt to provoke, capture, or kill a snake, as this is when the majority of bites occur. If the snake is found in a residential area, contact local animal control or a professional snake catcher for safe removal. If a bite does occur, remain calm and restrict movement of the affected limb, keeping it below the level of the heart to slow the spread of any potential venom.
Remove any rings or tight clothing from the area of the bite, as swelling may occur, and seek emergency medical attention immediately. Do not attempt traditional first aid methods such as applying a tourniquet, cutting the wound, or trying to suck out the venom, as these actions are ineffective and can cause further harm. The priority is always to get to a hospital quickly for treatment with antivenin, which is the definitive cure for a Coral Snake bite.