Are There Coral Snakes in Washington?

Are they in Washington?

Coral snakes are absolutely not found in Washington state. Their entire range is restricted to the southeastern United States, primarily in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Louisiana. They do not naturally occur anywhere west of the Mississippi River, and Washington is thousands of miles outside their range. The climate, habitat, and ecosystems of Washington are completely unsuitable for coral snakes. They require warm, humid environments with specific types of wetlands and woodlands found only in the Southeast. Washington's temperate rainforests, mountains, and cooler climate do not support coral snake populations. There has never been a verified record of a wild coral snake in Washington state. If you see a colorful banded snake in Washington, it will not be a coral snake. Learn more aboutCoral Snake in Washingtonand understand why they are not a regional concern. The snakes you encounter in Washington will belong to native species adapted to Pacific Northwest conditions.

How dangerous is it?

Coral snakes are venomous and possess one of the most potent venoms of any North American snake species. However, since they do not occur in Washington, they present zero risk to residents and visitors of the state. Understanding their danger level is important for general knowledge, but it is not relevant to your safety in Washington. Coral snakes are extremely docile and shy, and they almost never bite unless directly handled or threatened. Bites require provocative interaction, usually someone attempting to capture or move the snake. When bites do occur, they are serious and require immediate medical care, but modern treatment is highly effective. No one in Washington needs to worry about coral snake encounters, and time spent worrying about them would be better spent learning about the actual venomous snakes that do live in the Pacific Northwest, such as the northern Pacific rattlesnake, which is rare and rarely bites. Your risk from coral snakes in Washington is zero. For more on coral snake in Washington, see ourWashington coral snake guide.

How to recognize one

For reference and general knowledge, coral snakes are small to medium snakes, typically 18 to 30 inches long, with distinctive bold red, yellow, and black bands encircling their entire body. The bands are uniform and evenly spaced, and importantly, the red and yellow bands touch each other. Their head is small and rounded, and the pattern extends onto the belly. These markings would be instantly recognizable as different from any snake native to Washington. However, since coral snakes do not live in Washington, you will not encounter one here even if you spend considerable time outdoors. Washington's snake species, including harmless water snakes, garter snakes, rat snakes, and the rare rattlesnake, have very different appearances and markings. None of Washington's native snakes have the distinctive red, yellow, and black banding pattern of coral snakes. If you ever want to see a coral snake, you would need to visit the southeastern United States or see one in a zoo or educational facility. You can also browseWashington wildlife.

What to do if you are bitten or stung

Because coral snakes do not occur in Washington state, the chance of being bitten by one here is zero, and this section is provided for completeness and general knowledge only. If you were to be bitten by a coral snake elsewhere in the country, you should stay calm and seek immediate medical attention by calling 911. Keep the bitten area immobilized and still to slow venom spread. Remove any jewelry from the affected limb before swelling begins. Do not attempt to capture or kill the snake. This is general information, not medical advice; if you are bitten, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 if symptoms are severe. Do not apply tourniquets, ice packs, or try any field treatment. Do not delay seeking professional medical care. Modern antivenom and hospital treatment are highly effective when given promptly. In Washington, if you are bitten by any snake, which is exceedingly rare, seek medical attention and the hospital will determine appropriate care based on the species.

How to prevent encounters

Preventing coral snake encounters in Washington requires no action because they do not occur in the state. You cannot encounter a snake that does not live here. If you hike, camp, or explore wild areas in Washington, you can do so without any concern for coral snakes. Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants when outdoors for general protection and comfort, which is good practice for any wilderness activity. Watch where you place your hands and feet to avoid other potential hazards and to respect the environment. Shake out shoes and clothing before putting them on, a habit that can prevent unwanted encounters with any spider or insect. Keep your home sealed and your yard tidy to reduce pest problems, a beneficial practice regardless of snake concerns. Do not handle any wild snake you find, which is good advice for any location, not specifically because of coral snakes. Most of Washington's wildlife is harmless and beneficial. Your time is better spent learning about and protecting the actual wildlife species native to Washington.

Where in Washington and when

Coral snakes do not occur anywhere in Washington state at any time of year. They have never established a population in Washington and their range has never extended this far north or west. Their true range is limited to the southeastern United States, with the northernmost populations found in the Carolinas and the westernmost populations in eastern Texas and southeastern Oklahoma. Coral snakes are most active during warm months in their native range, typically spring through fall, but this seasonal activity is entirely irrelevant in Washington. Washington's climate is far too cool for coral snakes even during the warmest months. The winters in Washington would be lethal to coral snakes, as they require warm conditions year-round. No part of Washington, whether the coastal areas, Puget Sound region, eastern Washington, or the mountains, has suitable habitat for coral snakes. The entirewildlife of Washingtonis adapted to temperate and cooler conditions very different from the southeastern swamps and forests where coral snakes actually live.

Harmless lookalikes

Since coral snakes do not occur in Washington, there are no lookalikes to worry about in the state. Washington's native snakes have different appearances and markings entirely. Garter snakes are common and harmless, with longitudinal stripes rather than bands. Water snakes and other harmless species also lack the distinctive red, yellow, and black banding pattern. The northern Pacific rattlesnake is the only venomous snake in Washington, and it is very different in appearance from a coral snake. Rattlesnakes have a heavy body, diamond-shaped markings or blotches, and a distinctive rattle on the tail. They look nothing like coral snakes, and mistaking one for the other is not a concern. If you see a colorful banded snake anywhere in North America west of the Mississippi River, it will not be a coral snake. The snakes you encounter in Washington will be native species, and none of them resemble coral snakes. You can confidently identify any snake you see here without worrying about coral snake confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are coral snakes deadly? A: Coral snakes possess very potent venom, but they are docile snakes that rarely bite. Deaths are rare when medical care is obtained promptly. However, this is not a concern in Washington because coral snakes do not occur here.

Q: How common are coral snake bites in Washington? A: There have never been any coral snake bites in Washington because coral snakes do not live in the state. The risk is zero.

Q: What attracts coral snakes to an area? A: Coral snakes are attracted to warm, humid wetland habitats with abundant small prey like insects, small snakes, and lizards. These habitats do not exist in Washington, which is why coral snakes have never established populations here. Learn about actualWashington wildlifeinstead.

Q: What should I do if I see one? A: If you see a banded snake in Washington, it will not be a coral snake because they do not occur here. Leave any wild snake alone and move away from it. If you have concerns about a particular snake, contact a local wildlife professional. To learn more aboutWashington wildlife guide, consult regional field guides or wildlife agencies.