Sadly, many eastern banded kingsnakes - that are constrictors - have been killed because they were mistaken for coral snakes - that are much smaller and venomous as a cobra. One way to tell the difference is to note the band-pattern and remember this rhyme: “If red’s next to black, you’re all right, Jack - but red next to yellow can kill a fellow.”. FYI
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Beware…it is not uncommon to find a coral snake banded red next to black!!!
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The only good snake is a dead snake.
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King snakes are natural predators of the Coral snake, so there are some good ones that are not dead.
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Snakes are valuable. For one thing, they help with rodent populations.
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I second that
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Welcome to the family brother @Robert1181 and God bless you.
What you need to be aware of are the human snakes.
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Amen. We have quite a few “snakes” migrating from other States down to Florida. They jacked up their own Cities, Counties and States and now they want to slither down here and try the same.
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Such as these:
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@Larry130, could you share some more info on that? I’m pretty familiar with snakes, and have never heard of a coral snake having an incorrect banding pattern…
There are several species of coral snakes with different banding - the Florida species is the eastern coral snake I was writing about. They inhabit the drier areas of Florida, in burrows and leaf-litter. Being small and rear-fanged, they don’t strike, but have to bite loose skin, and chew to deliver their venom. Look at the web between your thumb and index finger - and be at least a little cautious where you put your hands when you’re outdoors. FYI
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Yes, but none of the other species that have a different banding pattern (red on yellow), are in the US.
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Yep all but the poisionous are helpful
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I was researching the topic online and found several references. Sorry, but I cannot provide the citations. It was surprising to me also.
Don’t worry about coral snakes. They are not aggresive. I live in Florida. One morning when trying to jog I ran over one, put in the after burners & got home. It ignored me. I then researched coral snakes. Children have picked them up to play with them. The problem was when the parent freeked. However the rattle snakes & water moccasins are more of a threat. Water moccasins are agressive but do not mistake the black snake for them. They like the king snake hunt the water moccasins and rattle snakes. If you come to Florida when it is cold remember any snake is cold blooded, therefore, they don’t move much when it is cold. Snakes are no more a problem here than in the Carolinas & many other states.
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