Scarlet Snake
Cemophora coccinea
A small, secretive, banded snake often confused with venomous coral snakes but harmless to humans.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.35-0.5 m (14-20 in)
- Range
- Southeastern and south-central United States
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Overview
The scarlet snake is a small, fossorial colubrid found across the southeastern United States. Its bright red, black, and yellow banding resembles both coral snakes and scarlet kingsnakes, leading to frequent misidentification.
It spends most of its life underground or under debris, rarely encountered above ground except at night.
How to identify it
- Red saddles bordered by black, with yellow or white interspaces
- Bands do not encircle the belly, which is plain white or cream
- Pointed snout adapted for burrowing
- Smooth scales
- Distinguished from coral snakes by incomplete banding and different color sequence
Habitat & range
Prefers sandy or loose soils in pine forests, woodlands, and agricultural edges. Fossorial, spending much of its time underground or beneath leaf litter and logs.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal and secretive, rarely seen above ground during the day. Feeds primarily on reptile eggs, using enlarged rear teeth to puncture shells. Lays eggs. Non-aggressive and rarely bites.
Frequently asked questions
Is the scarlet snake dangerous?
No, it is completely non-venomous and harmless.
How can you tell it apart from a coral snake?
Its red bands do not wrap fully around the belly, and its color pattern and head shape differ.
What does it eat?
Mainly reptile eggs, especially those of lizards and other snakes.
Where does it live?
Underground or under debris in sandy soils across the southeastern and south-central U.S.
Scarlet Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Scarlet Snake.
