How to Identify a Coral Snake

For some time now, people will tell you that the way to identify a Coral snake is to remember the poem, "red on yellow, kill a fellow." While technically correct, there are other ways to go about identifying it. A Coral snake has distinct characteristics that are useful to recognize.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Check the pattern of the bands on a snake to identify a Coral snake. The Coral snake is ringed with narrow yellow and wider black and red stripes. On a Coral snake, the red rings touch the yellow, whereas on the non-poisonous snakes they do not.

2. Note the length of the snake. Adult Coral snakes are usually between 20 to 30 inches long, although some may be longer.

3. The Coral snake's head is black from the front up to right behind the eyes. The rest of the Coral snake's head is bright yellow.

4. Look at the eyes of the snake. The coral snake has round pupils, as opposed to the vertical, cat-like pupils of most other venomous snakes.

5. Avoid those teeth! The Coral snake has small, grooved fangs that do not fold back into its mouth, but stand in place. The bite of a Coral snake is dangerous and often deadly.

6. Look at the tail for final identification. The Coral snake's tail is black and yellow only, with no red band.

Tips & Warnings

• Coral snakes are quite timid and will only attack if they feel threatened. If you are in Coral snake territory (the southeastern U.S.) step carefully and do not move suddenly if you come across one. Chances are it will slither away.