King Snake vs Coral Snake: How to Tell Them Apart

The most important difference between king snakes and coral snakes is the order of their colored bands. Both snakes have red, yellow, and black bands, but the arrangement is completely different. The classic saying is Red on yellow, kill a fellow; red on black, friend of Jack. This rhyme refers to the band touching pattern. On a coral snake, red bands touch yellow bands. On a king snake, red bands touch black bands. Never is red in contact with yellow on a king snake. Never is red in contact with black on a coral snake. The yellow bands on a coral snake separate the red and black. The black bands on a king snake separate the red and yellow. If you see a banded snake and the red touches the yellow, you are looking at a coral snake. If the red touches the black, you are looking at a king snake. This simple rule works almost all the time in North America. Some rare color variations exist, but the basic red-yellow or red-black pattern is the most reliable identifier. When in doubt, assume it is venomous and do not touch it. Learn more at /wildlife/texas/coral-snake.

The most critical difference between these snakes is that coral snakes are venomous and king snakes are not. This difference is literally the difference between life and death if bitten. Coral snakes have venomous fangs and venom glands. Their fangs are fixed in the front of their jaw, not retractable like pit vipers. Coral snake venom is neurotoxic, which means it affects the nervous system. A coral snake bite can cause paralysis and death if not treated immediately. However, coral snakes rarely bite because they are shy and non-aggressive. They spend much time burrowed underground. A coral snake will only bite if stepped on or roughly handled. King snakes have no venom whatsoever. They kill their prey by constriction, squeezing them until they stop breathing. King snakes are also non-aggressive to humans but are more likely to bite than coral snakes. A king snake bite will not inject venom but can still hurt and break skin. If you are bitten by any snake, seek medical attention to be safe. King snakes are actually beneficial snakes that kill venomous snakes and rodents. Check /wildlife/florida/coral-snake for local safety information.

King snakes and coral snakes differ in size, head shape, and overall appearance. King snakes are generally larger. An average king snake reaches 3 to 4 feet in length. Some large king snakes grow to 5 feet or longer. King snakes have stockier, stronger bodies. A king snake's head is blunt and rounded, matching the body width. The snout of a king snake is uniformly dark, often black, with minimal markings. Coral snakes are noticeably smaller. A typical coral snake measures 2 to 3 feet long. Coral snakes are more slender and delicate-looking. A coral snake's head is also blunt and rounded but appears more delicate. The snout of a coral snake has a distinctive red color. Coral snakes have a yellow band that runs through the head region, behind the eyes. This yellow marking on the head is not present on king snakes. Both snakes have smooth scales and shiny appearance. Both have relatively small eyes positioned on the sides of their heads. King snakes appear stronger and aggressive-looking. Coral snakes appear more delicate and docile-looking. These physical differences, combined with the band pattern, make identification straightforward once you look carefully. Visit /wildlife for detailed photos.

King snakes and coral snakes have very different personalities and behaviors. King snakes are bold, aggressive hunters. They actively search for prey and eat almost any small animal. King snakes hunt during the day and at night. They are known for eating other snakes, including venomous species like copperheads and rattlesnakes. A king snake will kill and eat a coral snake if given the chance. King snakes are also known for eating birds, lizards, rodents, and frogs. When threatened, a king snake will strike and bite readily. A king snake bite is not venomous but can hurt and cause infection if not cleaned. King snakes are solitary animals that spend most time hunting. Coral snakes are much more docile and retiring. Coral snakes spend much of their time burrowed underground in sandy or soft soil. They are more active at night and less active during the day. Coral snakes rarely bite even when handled by humans. A coral snake will only bite if crushed or stepped on directly. Coral snakes eat lizards, small snakes, and frogs, hunting less actively than king snakes. The calm temperament of coral snakes means they pose minimal threat to humans. The aggressive nature of king snakes makes them more visible and active. Explore /wildlife for more information.

King snakes and coral snakes have very different ranges across the United States. King snakes are found across most of the continental United States, from coast to coast. King snake species exist in almost every state. Different king snake subspecies fill different regions. You can find king snakes in deserts, grasslands, forests, and near water. King snakes adapt to almost any terrestrial habitat. They are common in agricultural areas and can even thrive near human settlements. Some king snakes are found in semi-arid regions. Others live in wet swamps and marshes. The wide range of king snakes makes them relatively common snakes to encounter. Coral snakes, by contrast, have a very limited range. Coral snakes are found only in the southeastern United States. The Eastern coral snake lives in Florida and the coastal regions of the Carolinas and Georgia. The Texas coral snake lives in Texas and the Gulf states. Western coral snakes live in the southwestern United States. No coral snakes are found in the northern states or the Great Plains. Coral snakes require warm, humid climates. They are not found in deserts or mountains. The limited range of coral snakes means many Americans have never seen one. Check /wildlife to learn about snakes in your specific region.

Several myths and confusion points surround king snakes and coral snakes. The most dangerous myth is that all red and yellow banded snakes are venomous. This is false. The coral snake itself is one of the few venomous red and yellow banded snakes in North America. Most other red and yellow banded snakes are king snakes or other non-venomous species. The rhyme about red and yellow is not perfect for all situations, but it works reliably for North American snakes. Another myth is that coral snakes are common and frequently bite people. This is false. Coral snakes are shy, rarely seen, and bite even less often. Thousands of times more people encounter king snakes than coral snakes. Another confusion is that people think king snakes and coral snakes are closely related. They are not. They belong to different families of snakes. King snakes are colubrids. Coral snakes are elapids, like cobras. A fourth myth is that king snake bites are dangerous. King snake bites are not venomous and carry the same minor risk as any small animal bite. A fifth myth is that you should kill any snake that looks like a coral snake. You should not. Coral snakes are beneficial and rarely threaten humans. King snakes should definitely not be killed as they help control rodent and venomous snake populations.