How to Identify the Eastern Coral Snake (Identification Guide)
A brightly banded venomous snake of the southeastern United States, identified by red, yellow, and black rings with red touching yellow.
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Key identifying features
The Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) is a slender, boldly banded elapid known for its vivid rings of red, yellow, and black encircling the entire body. The classic identification rule in its range, "red touch yellow, kill a fellow," refers to the fact that on this species, red bands are bordered directly by yellow bands, a pattern that separates it from harmless mimics.
Coloration & pattern
The body displays complete rings of red, yellow, and black that wrap fully around the body rather than stopping at the belly. The sequence runs red-yellow-black-yellow-red repeating down the length of the snake, with the red bands typically wider and often flecked with small black spots. The snout is black, which is another useful identification feature.
Head, eyes & scales
The head is small, rounded, and not distinct from the neck, with small eyes and round pupils. The black snout extends back to just behind the eyes before giving way to the first yellow band, a detail that helps distinguish it from mimics with different head coloration. Scales are smooth and glossy.
Size & body shape
Adults typically range from 50 to 75 centimeters, occasionally reaching around 90 centimeters. The body is slender and cylindrical, without the triangular head or heavy build seen in native pit vipers.
Range & habitat where you'll see it
The Eastern Coral Snake is found throughout the southeastern United States, including Florida, Georgia, and neighboring states, inhabiting pine flatwoods, scrub, and hardwood hammocks with sandy soils. It is secretive and often stays hidden under leaf litter or debris, most frequently seen after rain or during warmer months.
How to tell it apart from look-alikes
The Eastern Coral Snake is often confused with the harmless Scarlet Kingsnake and Scarlet Snake, both of which have similar red, yellow, and black banding but with red bands bordered by black rather than yellow. Checking whether red touches yellow or red touches black is the most reliable field method, along with noting the coral snake's black snout versus the red-tipped snout common in its mimics.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell a coral snake from a scarlet kingsnake?
On the Eastern Coral Snake, red bands touch yellow bands directly; on the mimicking Scarlet Kingsnake, red bands touch black bands instead.
What color is the snout?
The Eastern Coral Snake has a black snout, while its harmless mimics often have a red-tipped snout.
Do the bands go all the way around the body?
Yes, the red, yellow, and black rings encircle the entire body, unlike some mimics whose belly pattern may differ from the back.
How big does the Eastern Coral Snake get?
Most adults measure 50 to 75 centimeters, with a slender, cylindrical body.
Where is this snake typically found?
In sandy pine flatwoods, scrub, and hardwood hammocks across the southeastern United States, often hidden under leaf litter.
Eastern Coral Snake identified by the community
Recent Eastern Coral Snake specimens identified with Snake Identifier.
