The scarlet kingsnake is a snake that has red and black markings with yellow or white bands. This snake is notable because of its resemblance to the more dangerous coral snake, which also has red, black and yellow markings in a similar pattern.
Scarlet kingsnakes mostly inhabit the southeastern corner of the United States, though they can be found throughout the eastern states. This species is carnivorous and mostly eats smaller reptiles.
The scarlet kingsnake was once considered part of a larger group of snakes called milk snakes. Milk snakes also have red and black markings, and their third color may be either white or yellow.
