The scarlet king snake sports the same distinctive banding pattern as the coral snake, and in the same colors. In fact, it has the second-most deadly venom of any snake in North America. If you really can’t get the snake to budge and you’re sure it’s a coral snake, then contact a snake catcher to remove the animal for you. The scarlet kingsnake is harmless. ... Coral snakes have narrow yellow rings separating wider red and black bands along its body. The range of scarlet kingsnakes extends considerably further north and northeast than the eastern coral snake. Some species, such as the scarlet kingsnake, Mexican milk snake, and red milk snake, have coloration and patterning that can cause them to be confused with the highly venomous coral snakes. The coral snake used to live as far north as the North Carolina Sandhills, but they went extinct in this region back in 1960. Coral snakes have round pupils and smooth scales. 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. Because the two snakes are so easily confused, if you have any doubt whatsoever as to whether a snake is a harmless scarlet kingsnake or a deadly coral kingsnake, it is best to keep plenty of distance and avoid the snake entirely. We’ve learned about the similarities and differences between coral snakes and king snakes. A scarlet king snake, basically harmless, is mostly red with smaller bands of black and yellow. The difference, and it’s a minor one, is in the order of the, black, red and yellow bands on the snake. The scarlet king snake sports the same distinctive banding pattern as the coral snake, and in the same colors. Eastern Coral Snake: The tail is only black and yellow (two colors) Scarlet Kingsnake: The tail is black, red, and yellow (three colors) Scarlet Snake: The tail is black, red, and white (three colors) Eastern Coral Snake… At first, it may seem anti-climatic. Very few bites are reported, however, because they tend to be shy and are slow to bite. Scarlet Snake: Nose is red and pointed. The range of scarlet kingsnakes extends considerably further north and northeast than the eastern coral snake. This results in the scarlet king snake getting a mistaken bad reputation because it is similar to the deadly coral snake that no one wants to be around. Coral snakes have shortened, very rounded, blunt snouts that are always black in color. The snake is red, then black then yellow, then black and then red again. The coral snake is one of Florida's venomous species. To avoid trouble, read more about the Snake Rhyme Poem, and information about the Coral Snake Look Alike. Coral snakes reside in a variety of different habitats such as: The coral snake is a very commonly known snake for its danger and potent venom. Mistaking a coral snake … Scarlet king snake vs. coral snake. Perhaps one of the most disturbing things about the Eastern Coral snake is its bite. Most kingsnakes have quite vibrant patterns on their skins. The scarlet kingsnake has a red snout while the California mountain kingsnake has either an all-black snout or a black-and-yellow snout. If you grew up anywhere in the coral snake's large southeastern range, you probably heard the rhyme, "If red touches yellow, it's bad for a fellow. This article on the king snake vs coral snake has been quite an informative one. The scarlet king snake has very similar patterns and coloring to the very dangerous and venomous coral snake. King snakes are often killed because they’re mistaken for coral snakes. Coral Snakes vs. Scarlet Kingsnakes. How to Tell if a Snake is Venomous. King snakes are often killed because they're mistaken for coral snakes. Sometimes, coral snakes have a dark splatter pattern, like spray paint, on the red bands. The scarlet king snake sports the same distinctive banding pattern as the coral snake, and in the same colors. The similar-looking coral snake is highly venomous and has been known to kill people. 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.