Tell them apart
Eastern Coralsnake vs. California Mountain Kingsnake
It matters: the Eastern Coralsnake is venomous, while the California Mountain Kingsnake is harmless.
Eastern Coralsnake
Micrurus fulvius
Venomous
- Family
- Elapidae
- Group
- Coral snake
- Size
- Slender, usually 1.5–3 ft.
- Identify
- Rings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.
California Mountain Kingsnake
Lampropeltis zonata
Harmless
- Family
- Colubridae
- Group
- Kingsnake / Milksnake
- Size
- 2–5 ft.
- Identify
- Smooth, glossy scales with bold bands or chain-like patterns. Milksnakes mimic coral snakes, but red touches black.
How to tell them apart
A harmless mimic of the US coral snake. On US coral snakes red bands touch yellow; on these mimics red usually touches black. This color rule is reliable ONLY in the United States — it does not hold for coral snakes elsewhere.
Never rely on a single feature to judge a live snake. If you cannot positively identify it, keep your distance. Informational only.