One of the most notable and venomous snakes is the coral snake, featuring red, black, and yellow banding. However, there are many mimics of the coral snake, most of which are harmless. When encountering colorfully banded snakes, how do we know if it’s a coral?
Coral snakes have large red crossbands surrounded by narrow yellow rings. King and milk snakes of the same color have large red crossbands outlined by thin black rings. As mimics of coral snakes, king and milk snakes are non-venomous and use constriction to kill prey.
While it’s easy to mistake king or milk snakes for the lethal coral snake, with a bit of practice, you can know the differences in no time. Read on to discover the differences between these three snakes.
Main Differences Between Coral, King, and Milk Snakes
While coral, king, and milk snakes of the same color appear very similar, they have different behaviors and lifestyles that set them apart. In general, the king and milk snakes are considered mimics of the coral snake and are entirely harmless.
Below are the main differences between these three snakes:
| Quality | Coral Snake | King Snake | Milk Snake |
| Size | 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 m) long | 2-6 ft (0.61-1.83) long | 1-5 ft (0.3-1.5 m) long |
| Lifespan | 7 Years | 20-30 years | 15-20 years |
| Coloration | Tri-colored Red, black, yellow, or white crossbands | Tri-colored Red, black, and yellow crossbands | Tri-colored Red, black, and yellow crossbands |
| Habitat | Subterranean burrows Heavy forests Coastal plains Deserts | Forests Grasslands Deserts | Light forests Fields Rocky plains |
| Prey | Small lizards Other snakes Eggs | Lizards Birds Rodents Other Snakes | Small lizards Rodents Other Snakes Eggs |
| Kill Method | Bite | Constriction | Constriction |
| Lethality | Venomous Highly Lethal | Non-venomous | Non-venomous |
Let’s take a look at these differences in a little more detail.
Size
Overall, the king snake is the largest of all three snakes and can grow up to six feet (1.83 m) long. Milk snakes are slightly smaller but can still achieve a length of five feet (1.5 m) or more. Coral snakes are much smaller than their mimics and only grow to about three feet (0.9 m) in length.
In addition to the banding patterns, the size of king and milk snakes set them apart from corals and results from their kill method, which is constriction. Coral snakes rely on venom to subdue prey and don’t require a larger size.
In general, a snake’s size correlates with its lifespan, as snakes are indeterminate growers. Snakes will continue to shed and grow until they pass, in some cases requiring larger tanks across their lifespan if kept as a pet.
Lifespan
Coral snakes only live about seven years in the wild and are rarely kept in captivity outside zoos. King snakes live about 20-30 years, and milk snakes 15-20 years. Snakes in captivity generally live longer than those in the wild.
Coloration
While all three snakes come in various colorations due to specific subspecies, they all generally have tricolor coats in segmented crossbands throughout their bodies. The most noticeable combination of colors is red, black, and yellow.
Because of coral snakes’ history as highly lethal and the occurrence of their mimics, various mnemonics have been created to demonstrate whether a snake is a mimic.
While there are variations, the mnemonic goes the following way:
- Red touch yellow, kill a fellow.
- Red touch black, venom lack.
In all cases, these snakes have large red bands surrounded by smaller bands. If the surrounding bands are black, it’s a mimic. Alternatively, if the surrounding bands are yellow, it’s a coral.
Habitat
Coral snakes prefer habitats that are underground or hidden. Overall, they inhabit coastal plains, swamps, heavy forests, and sometimes deserts. They typically reside within burrows, under leaves, underwater, or anywhere they can hide while waiting for their prey.
King and milk snakes prefer similar habitats, although they are generally more in-land than coral snakes. These snakes prefer forests and large open areas such as prairies, rocky plains, and deserts, where most of their prey reside.
Prey
All three snakes have similar diets, despite using different methods to subdue their prey.
Overall, coral, king, and milk snakes have the following prey:
- Rodents
- Lizards
- Small birds
- Eggs
- Other snakes
A unique aspect of all three snakes is that they consume other snakes of smaller sizes. The king snake is most notable for its ability to consume venomous species without harm. All these snakes are essential in controlling local populations of reptiles and rodents.
Kill Method
While coral snakes are highly known for their venomous bite, milk and king snakes are entirely non-venomous. The mimics use constriction, rather than venom, to secure their prey.
One notable aspect of venomous snakes is that they are much smaller than their non-venomous mimics. These snakes prefer to lay in hiding for prey rather than seek them out. Fortunately, smaller snakes are generally much more cautious around humans and prefer to remain discreet.
Lethality
While the king and milk snakes are not lethal, the bite from coral snakes is deadly and requires immediate medical attention. Coral snake venom causes nervous system failure, leading to cardiac arrest. However, while still lethal, it is difficult for coral snakes to bite through human skin and deliver their venom.
Unlike most venomous snakes, coral snakes have fixed fangs and tiny mouths. These limitations make it difficult to break through human skin, and they cannot release a full load of venom in one bite.
To release enough venom to subdue their prey, coral snakes must remain attached to their victim and release venom over an extended period. While this means humans have a decent chance of survival if bitten, immediate medical attention is always recommended for coral snake bites.
Is It Safe To Be Around Coral, King, or Milk Snakes?
While all three snakes have many similarities, especially in appearance, it is never safe to be around coral snakes. These snakes are highly venomous, and their bites pose a lethal risk to humans.
King and milk snakes, however, are perfectly safe for humans. These snakes are pretty docile and friendly. Like all snakes, they will defend themselves and bite if threatened, but their bites are relatively harmless.
Despite having the appearance of coral snakes, these species are mimics only and not a threat. However, to know what type of snake you’re dealing with, it’s good to know how to tell them apart.
How To Tell Apart Coral, King, or Milk Snakes?
The easiest way to distinguish a coral snake from its mimics is through the binding pattern on its coat. All three snakes feature a tri-colored banding of red, yellow, and black. However, the distribution of those colors differs.
In all cases, the snakes feature large red bands surrounded by a thin black or yellow banding. Red bands touching yellow indicate a coral snake. Alternatively, red bands outlined by black indicate a mimic.
While not all king and milk snakes retain this specific tri-coloration, all variations that mimic coral snakes are represented by this distribution of colors.
Additionally, a significant difference between coral snakes and their mimics is size. Coral snakes are much smaller than their mimics, relying on venom and stealth to subdue their prey. King and milk snakes are much larger, and any snake longer than 3 feet (0.9 m) is likely a mimic.
Regardless of whether a snake is a mimic, the best practice with wild snakes is to give them space and treat them as if they are potentially venomous. Because of snakes’ timidity around humans, it’s best not to approach or handle wild snakes.
Captive mimics are safe to handle and are popular pets for snake owners.
Can You Keep a King or Milk Snake as a Pet?
King and milk snakes make lovely pets, especially for first-time snake owners. These species have the following positive traits as pets:
- Non-venomous
- Easy to handle
- Docile and friendly
- Live for decades
- Easy to feed
Overall, king and milk snakes have an excellent temperament, require straightforward care, and live long. Their dietary needs aren’t excessive, and they are okay with frozen mice instead of live prey.
In terms of which would make a better pet, it depends on the owner. Milk snakes are generally better for first-time snake owners, and king snakes are preferable for individuals with snake experience.
While they are the same species, the main difference between them is that king snakes live significantly longer (20-30 years) than milk snakes (15-20 years) and, therefore, also grow much larger.
Larger snakes require more significant handling when moving the snake, more food, and possible tank upgrades as they reach the end of their lives. Smaller snakes require slightly less care but won’t keep you company as long.
Either way, both snakes make excellent pets and are considered top starter snakes for any pet owner.
Conclusion
Coral snakes are known for their highly neurotoxic venom but also for their mimics, which include harmless species such as milk and king snakes.
When encountering potentially lethal snakes, it’s good to know their species and how to act accordingly.
In all cases, these snakes have tri-colored bands of red, black, and yellow. Snakes with red outlined by yellow are coral snakes. Mimics have red bands outlined by black.
Additionally, coral snake mimics are non-venomous and grow much larger than their venomous counterparts.