Scarlet Kingsnake

Range

The scarlet kingsnake can be found in the Eastern and southeastern areas of the United States. Mainly in Florida, eastern Louisiana to Southern New Jersey, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

Habitat

The scarlet kingsnake dwells in areas with an ecosystem of pine savannas, pine flat woods, hydric hammocks, prairies, cultivated fields, mesic pine-oak forests and suburban habitats. They are terrestrial burrowers who live under rocks, inside logs, and in the bark of standing dead trees. They are often found hiding in shrubs or even a pool in suburban neighborhoods. The scarlet kingsnake is nocturnal and active mostly at night. They are extremely fast climbers and feed on amphibians especially skinks, rodents and other smaller snakes. The females are oviparous and lay between 2 - 9 eggs and the gender of the hatchlings is determined by the temperature of the eggs.

Variations

The scarlet kingsnake is often mistaken with the equally non-venomous scarlet snake and the venomous Eastern coral snake. This has inspired a rhyme to distinguish the three. 'If red touches yellow, it can kill a fellow' (Eastern Coral Snake) 'If red touches black, it's a friend of Jack' (Scarlet Kingsnake or Scarlet Snake)

Similar species

Eastern Coralsnake

Micrurus fulvius

Scarletsnake

Cemophora coccinea

Name and etymology

Elapsoides: Similar to (-oides) elaps(a genus of coral snakes), referencing its similar appairence to coral snakes.