Scarlet Snake

Scarlet Snake Facts, Identification, & Control

Latin Name

Cemophora coccinea

Appearance

Scarlet snake, a relatively small with no venom which is primarily found in the south-eastern part of united states. It is usually about 14-21 inches long. The colorful scarlet snake maybe light cream to yellow in body color with red patches usually irregularly encircled in black. The snake has banded appearance as the patches encircle the upper body parts. Although, the belly of the snake is whitish or solid cream in color. The snake body design often confuses as it looks like that of venomous coral snake and the non-venomous bigger scarlet king snake. Some have devised a difference of a simple rhyme between the scarlet king snake and venomous coral snake. …. Normally, it is a gentle animal and has no records of bites in the process of handling it. But it is advised to avoid snakes until it is identified properly.

Behavior, Diet and Habits

Scarlet snake is rarely seen, it comes out at night most of the time. It is said to engage in digging habitually and may seek safety under wet leaf litter, fallen logs or rocks. It is seen usually in warm summer months as it moves to cooler roads. With regards to it reproductive habits, much is not known except that a snake may lay eggs of about three to eight in warmer summer months. Small lizard and snakes are the prey of these snakes. The enlarged set of teeth of scarlet snake enable them to eat eggs of other animals.