The scarlet snake (Cemophora coccinea) is a small, tri-colored snake native to the southeastern United States. This species is completely harmless to humans and non-venomous. It is often confused with its venomous look-alike, the Eastern Coral Snake, because of its striking pattern of red, black, and yellow or white coloration. The scarlet snake belongs to the family Colubridae, a group that includes most of the world’s non-venomous species.
The Definitive Answer: Harmless, Not Venomous
The scarlet snake poses no medical threat to people or pets. Specifically, it does not possess venom glands or the fixed, hollow fangs characteristic of its venomous counterpart, the Eastern Coral Snake.
While any snake may bite if it feels threatened or is handled roughly, a scarlet snake bite is purely defensive and does not deliver venom. The snake’s small, slender size and lack of a venom delivery system mean a bite would likely result in no more than a minor scratch. The primary defense mechanism of this secretive species is to hide or flee from confrontation.
Essential Identification Markers
The scarlet snake is a relatively small and slender reptile, typically reaching a total length between 14 and 20 inches in adulthood. The coloration on the back is characterized by a series of large, red blotches that are bordered by black.
These blotches are typically centered on the spine, leaving the sides and the belly a solid, unmarked white, gray, or pink color. The head is small and slightly pointed, often exhibiting a red snout, which aids in its burrowing behavior.
Key Differences from Venomous Look-alikes
The scarlet snake’s coloration is a form of Batesian mimicry, closely resembling the dangerously venomous Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius). The common mnemonic rhyme is a reliable tool in the scarlet snake’s range: “Red touches black, venom lack; red touches yellow, kills a fellow.”
The scarlet snake’s pattern adheres to the “red touches black” rule, meaning a black band always separates the red bands from the yellow or white bands. In contrast, the Eastern Coral Snake’s venomous pattern features red bands that are immediately adjacent to yellow bands.
Another distinguishing feature is the head color; the harmless scarlet snake usually has a red snout, whereas the venomous coral snake has a distinct black snout. The scarlet snake is also sometimes confused with the Scarlet Kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides), another harmless mimic. Unlike the scarlet snake, the Scarlet Kingsnake’s colored pattern forms complete bands that encircle the entire body, including the underside.
Temperament and Natural Habitat
The scarlet snake is highly secretive and rarely seen due to its fossorial and nocturnal nature, spending the majority of its time underground. It is an adept burrower, preferring habitats with loose, dry, and sandy soil, such as pine forests and sandhills. This secretive behavior is why most human encounters happen when the snake is crossing a road at night.
The primary diet of Cemophora coccinea consists mainly of reptile eggs, particularly those of other snakes and lizards, which it locates while burrowing, and it also consumes small lizards and snakes. The species is distributed throughout the southeastern United States, with a range extending from New Jersey south to Florida and west to Oklahoma.