Scarlet Kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides)
- Weight: .5 ounces – 1 pound
- Length: 14″-20″
- Diet: Carnivorous, eating amphibians, rodents, and insects.
- Breeding: Starts in March through June.
- Gestation: 52 – 57 Days.
- Reproduction: 5-17 eggs, hatchlings appearing starting in late summer or early fall.
- Habitat: Urban areas with the availability of food water and shelter, rock outcroppings, drainage ditches, and dense green spaces.
- Legal Status: Common throughout Tennessee, and under no protection. It is illegal to harm, capture, or remove from the wild.
- Other Names: Scarletsnake, milksnake, and commonly misidentified for the venomous coral snake.
- Interesting Facts: The Scarlet Kingsnake is often misidentified for the venomous Coral Snake. They can live over 20 years in the wild. Common predators will include skunks, opossums, and raccoons.
The Scarlet Kingsnake, often referred to as the milksnake, is one of the most misidentified snakes found in Tennessee. Scarlet Kingsnakes are very colorful, having bands of red, black, and yellow, closely resembling the venomous eastern coral snake, that happens to inhabit many of the same areas. Just remember, “if red touches yellow, your a dead fellow” and “if red touches black, you are alright jack”. The largest threat this snake will cause, is the injury you may recieve if you trip while running away. As a defense mechanism, the scarlet kingsnake snake will rattle its tail, or vibrate it fast enough to produce a rattle sound, even though not a rattlesnake. They are found throughout the entire State of Tennessee. Scarlet kingsnakes will hiss and strike if too close or agitated, so it is best to keep your distance. Scarlet kingsnakes will often feed on rodents, amphibians, and other insects and can live up to 20 years in the wild.