Eastern Coral Snake vs Scarlet Kingsnake
Red, yellow, black - which one is deadly?
The quick tell
In the United States the rhyme works: red touch yellow, kill a fellow; red touch black, venom lack. On an Eastern Coral Snake the red bands touch the yellow bands, and the snout is blunt and black. On a Scarlet Kingsnake the red touches black, and the snout is red and pointed.
Field marks, side by side
| Eastern Coral Snake | Scarlet Kingsnake | |
|---|---|---|
| Band order | Red bands touch yellow bands | Red bands touch black bands |
| Snout | Blunt and black | Pointed and red |
| Bands | Rings wrap fully around the body | Color often breaks up along the belly |
| Habits | Secretive burrower, rarely seen in the open | Climbs and hides under bark; the one people usually find |
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Get Huck - freeCommon questions
Does the "red touch yellow" rhyme actually work?
For native snakes in the United States, yes - it separates the Eastern Coral Snake from the Scarlet Kingsnake and Scarlet Snake reliably. It is not valid in Central or South America, where many coral species break the rule.
How dangerous is an Eastern Coral Snake bite?
Seriously dangerous - the venom is neurotoxic and symptoms can be delayed for hours. Bites are rare because the snake is secretive and reluctant to bite, but any suspected coral snake bite needs an emergency room immediately, even if it feels fine at first.