Scarlet King Snake
Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides
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Family: Colubridae - Harmless Egg-Laying Snakes Typical Adult Size: 14 to 20 inches Reproduction: egg laying Eye Pupil: round Dorsal Scales: smooth Anal Scale: single |
The Scarlet King Snake is South Carolina's smallest kingsnake. It has a beautiful ringed pattern of red, black, and yellow. The Scarlet King Snake is a subspecies of Milk Snake. In extreme northwestern SC, the Scarlet King may intergrade with the duller-colored Eastern Milk Snake, producing a more colorful blotched-patterned snake.
Scarlet Kings feed principally upon lizards. They are often found beneath dead tree bark.
Scarlet King Snakes are considered to be mimics of the venomous Coral Snake. Scarlet King Snakes have red snouts. The dorsal ring pattern usually continues across the belly.
Additional Images:
July 07, 2009
Contact: South Carolina Reptiles and Amphibians