Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Clint Bartley. Clint Bartley is a Herpetology Expert based in Chandler, Indiana. He has over 30 years of experience working with reptiles, and opened Metazotics in 2022, a large reptile breeding facility and specialty store where he oversees a breeding colony of nearly 500 reptiles. Metazotics specializes in reptiles such as colubrids, ball pythons, geckos, tortoises, and more, and serves a national audience with their state-of-the-art online merchandise platform. In particular, Clint is known as an industry leader in Asian rat snake and black rat snake mutations. Clint has successfully reproduced more than 60 species of reptiles in captivity. He was the second person in the United States to produce Archelaphe bella chapaensis (bell rat snakes), and the first person in the U.S. to produce them twice. Metazotics carries a comprehensive line of supplies and habitats, offers all bioactive enclosure needs, and works with local organizations to further their knowledge and understanding of reptiles.
How.com.vn marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status.
This article has been viewed 130,541 times.
Coral snakes and milk snakes look alike. However, it's important to know the difference, as coral snakes are venomous. The easiest way to distinguish between a coral snake and a milk snake is the color of its stripes. You can also look at the snake's size and the color of a snake's face. If you are bitten by a snake, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you are not experiencing symptoms of poisoning, you should still be evaluated by a doctor.
Steps
Check for stripes versus blotches. The differences in stripe patterns are typically used to tell the difference between milk and coral snakes. However, some milk snakes do not have stripes. If you notice a snake with blotches instead of stripes, it's more likely to be a milk snake.[1]- However, do not assume a snake is not venomous simply because it has blotches. You should still stay away from a wild snake to avoid getting bitten.
Look at whether black rings separate red and yellow rings. Both corral snakes and milk snakes contain black, yellow, and red splotches. With milk snakes, there will be a black ring between red and yellow rings. The red and yellow rings will not touch on a milk snake.[2]Advertisement
See if the red bands touch the yellow bands. If red and yellow bands are touching, this is a bad sign, you are probably looking at a coral snake, which is venomous. You should stay away from snakes that have red and yellow stripes that touch.[3]- Be careful in areas with leaf piles or burrows. Coral snakes tend to hide in such areas.
Examine the size of the snake. Milk snakes generally tend to be smaller than coral snakes. Most milk snakes are less than three feet long. However, if you live in Honduras, some milk snakes can grow as long as 5 feet in length.[4]
Think about your own location. Coral snakes are typically only found in three regions in the United States. Therefore, you're unlikely to find a coral snake if you don't live in those areas.[5]- Coral snakes can live in Arizona and certain parts of Texas.
- Coral snakes can also live around Florida and its bordering states. Coral snakes may live in Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
Look at the snake's face. Coral snakes have a solid black face. There will be a yellow band directly below the solid black marking on the face. It may be difficult to see a coral snake's eyes due to the coloring on the face.[6]
Be aware of the symptoms of snake bite. While you will usually be aware if a snake bites you, a young child or animal may not be able to tell you they were bitten. Make sure you know the symptom of a snake bite, especially if you live in an area that has poisonous snakes. Symptoms include:[7]- A puncture wound with redness and swelling surrounding it
- Labored breathing
- Nausea or vomiting
Seek medical attention immediately for a snake bite. Even if you're not experiencing symptoms like pain or swelling, you should always seek medical help in the event of a snake bite. You should call 9-1-1 or the emergency services in your area. A worker should instruct you whether to come into the emergency room or make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.[8]
Do not attempt to treat the wound alone. You should never attempt to make a tourniquet, slash the wound with a knife, or do any other treatments on your own. You should always seek out professional medical help in the event of a snake bite.[9]
Avoid attempting to trap the snake. Most snakes will not attack you unprovoked and are not dangerous, even if they are venomous. If your'e concerned about poisonous snakes in your area, contact animal control. Do not attempt to trap or kill a snake on your own. Not only can this be dangerous, it may be illegal in your area.[10]
Expert Q&A
Tips
- If you do see a coral snake, don't panic. Snakes are always more scared of you than you are from them. While coral snakes are poisonous, they usually do not bite.Thanks
- Observe and learn, but immediately assume all snake venomous and certainly don't kill them out of fear! They keep vermin under control, the kind that helped with Black Death, ⅔ of Europeans dying etc. Seriously, treat them with Respect, use Common Sense, Educate and Inform yourself teach others and Stay safe!Thanks
- It can help to use a rhyme to remember which is which. "Red on black, friend of Jack. Red on yellow, you're a dead fellow". The rhyme is referring to the colors on the snake's back.Thanks
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about caring for snakes, check out our in-depth interview with Clint Bartley.
References
- ↑ http://animals.mom.me/similarities-between-coral-snakes-milk-snakes-8154.html
- ↑ http://animals.mom.me/similarities-between-coral-snakes-milk-snakes-8154.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/snakes/types.html
- ↑ http://animals.mom.me/similarities-between-coral-snakes-milk-snakes-8154.html
- ↑ https://snakebuddies.net/2010/09/03/red-and-yellow-kills-a-fellow-your-identification-guide-to-tri-color-snakes/
- ↑ https://snakebuddies.net/2010/09/03/red-and-yellow-kills-a-fellow-your-identification-guide-to-tri-color-snakes/
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/snakes/symptoms.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/snakes/symptoms.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/snakes/symptoms.html
About This Article
It’s important to tell the difference between coral and milk snakes, since coral snakes are venomous. Although they look similar, milk snakes tend to have blotches instead of stripes and they’re generally under 3 feet long outside of Honduras. Milk snakes also have black patches or rings between red and yellow. If you spot red and yellow next to each other, it’s probably a coral snake. You can remember this with the rhyme, “Red on black, friend of Jack. Red on yellow, you're a dead fellow.” In the U.S., coral snakes are typically only found in Arizona, some parts of Texas, and around Florida and its bordering states. Always be careful if you notice a snake, and keep your distance just in case. If you’re bitten by a snake, call 911 immediately, even if you don’t have any symptoms of a venomous bite. For more tips, including how to get rid of a snake in your area, read on!
Reader Success Stories
"This has helped me very much because I happened to run into a coral snake. Now, I will remember the saying, "Red touch yellow, kill a fellow. Red touch black, friend of Jack" and I will know to keep my distance."..." more
Did this article help you?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.
