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Coral snakes and milk snakes are often confused with each other and this is certainly an easy mistake considering how similar they are. After all, they are both brightly colored and have very similar markings. So, can you tell them apart? The answer is yes, and there are actually quite a few key differences between the two.
For starters, one is deadly and the other is not, and one is larger than the other. They eat different things and even kill their prey in different ways. But that’s not all, so join us as we discover all their differences and find out exactly which snake is venomous.
Comparison of milk snake and coral snake
Milk snakes and coral snakes are very brightly colored and have smooth shiny scales and are easy to confuse. There are two groups of coral snakes – the Old World and the New World – and they are found in different places. There are 16 species of Old World coral snakes and over 65 species of New World coral snakes.
Milk snakes are a species of royal snake and belong to the genus Lampropeltis which in translation from Greek means “shiny shields”. There are 24 subspecies of the milk snake, and for a long time the scarlet king snake was considered a milk snake. While there are some differences between different coral snake species and milk snake subspecies, there are still some key differences that differentiate the two types.
Check out the table below for a few key differences.
| Milk snake | Coral snake | |
| The size | 14 to 69 inches | Typically 18 to 20 inches, although New World can go up to 36 inches. |
| Location | North America and South America | Asia (Old World coral snakes) America (New World Coral Serpents) |
| Habitat | Varies – forest, fields, rocky areas. | Forest areas overgrown underground or under leaves In desert regions overgrown with sand or soil |
| Colour | Striped coloration – often red, black, yellow, or different shades. Darker colors are highlighted in black | Brightly colored – usually black, red and yellow stripes. Black stripes outlined in yellow |
| Poisonous | No | Yes |
| Diet | Mice, rats, voles, lizards, birds, bird eggs, snakes, snake eggs | Frogs, lizards, other snakes |
| Murder method | Wrap around your prey until it dies | Paralyze and conquer prey with your poison |
| Life span | 15 to 20 years old | 7 years |
5 main differences between coral snakes and milk snakes
Coral snake vs milk snake: color
Although they are similar in color, there is a difference in appearance between milk and coral snakes. Both are brightly colored and usually have different shades of red, yellow, and black. Although not dangerous, milk snakes are brightly colored like a venomous coral snake as a warning sign warning predators to stay away.
However, on coral and milk snakes, it is important to pay attention to the color of the stripes. Coral snakes usually have black stripes outlined in yellow, while milk snakes usually have red stripes outlined in black. Coral snakes also have black heads behind their eyes. In areas where both coral and milk snakes are found, there is a famous saying that helps people remember the difference: “Red on yellow kills the guy, red on black kills Jack’s friend.”
Coral snake vs milk snake: venom
One of the biggest and most important differences between milk snakes and coral snakes is their venom. Milk snakes are not poisonous and not dangerous to humans. They have no fangs, and their teeth are very small, so even a bite is not dangerous.
On the other hand, coral snakes are highly venomous and have the second strongest venom of any snake. They have short, fixed canines, and their venom contains extremely powerful neurotoxins that affect the brain’s ability to control muscles. Symptoms include vomiting, paralysis, slurred speech, muscle twitching, and even death.
Coral snake vs milk snake: size
There is also a difference in size between milk snakes and coral snakes. Milk snakes are much longer than coral snakes and average 14 to 69 inches in length. Coral snakes are generally much smaller and average 18 to 20 inches. However, New World coral snakes are larger than Old World coral snakes and can grow up to 3 feet in length.
Coral snake vs milk snake: habitat
Milk snakes are widespread in Canada, the United States and South America and have a diverse range of habitats. Although they prefer forested areas, they are very adaptable and can also live in fields and on rocky slopes. There are two groups of coral snakes – the Old World (found in Asia) and the New World (found in America). Coral snakes prefer woodland or woodland areas where they like to burrow underground or hide under piles of leaves. However, some coral snakes live in desert regions and often burrow in sand or soil.
Coral snake vs milk snake: diet
Milk snakes and coral snakes have slight differences in nutrition, but one of their key differences is the way they kill their prey. Coral snakes eat lizards, frogs, and other snakes. They strike their prey with their fangs and inject their poisonous venom to paralyze and subdue their prey before swallowing it whole. Dairy snakes have a more varied diet and eat mice, rats, voles, lizards, snakes, birds, bird eggs, and snake eggs. They even eat coral snakes sometimes! Milk snakes are constrictors and first kill their prey by tightly wrapping their body around it until their heart stops due to lack of blood flow. Once their victim is dead, they swallow it whole.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Why do milk snakes shake their tails?
Milk snakes shake their tails when they see a predator to make them think they are a rattlesnake and are much more dangerous than they really are.
How did milk snakes get their name?
Milk snakes get their name from an old tale that told how they sneaked into barns and drank cow’s milk. However, this is completely wrong, because snakes cannot drink cow’s milk.
Do coral snakes lay eggs?
Yes, unlike most other venomous snakes, coral snakes are oviparous and lay eggs rather than giving birth to live young.
Do coral snakes and milk snakes belong to the same family group?
No, coral snakes from Elapidae A family that is a group of venomous snakes that are known for their fixed rather than retractable fangs. Dairy snakes from the family group Colubridae which is the largest family group of snakes.
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