Coral snakes are a highly venomous group of snakes found in the Americas. They have distinctive red, yellow/white, and black colored banding patterns. A common rhyme used to distinguish coral snakes from non-venomous lookalike species is “red touch yellow, kill a fellow; red touch black, venom lack.” But does this rhyme accurately identify coral snakes?
The Coral Snake Rhyme
The full coral snake rhyme states:
“Red touch yellow, kill a fellow. Red touch black, friend of Jack.”
This rhyme refers to the color banding patterns on coral snakes. The rhyme suggests that if the red and yellow (or white) bands are touching, it is a venomous coral snake. But if the red and black bands touch, it is a harmless lookalike species.
The reasoning behind this rhyme is that coral snakes in the Americas (Micrurus, Micruroides, and Micrurus species) have red bands that border yellow/white bands. The sequence of their bands is: red band, yellow/white band, black band, yellow/white band, red band etc.
In contrast, lookalike species like milk snakes, kingsnakes, and shovelnose snakes have red bands that border black bands. So they have a different banding sequence of: red band, black band, red band, black band, red band etc.
By remembering “red touch yellow, kill a fellow”, the rhyme helps distinguish dangerous coral snakes from harmless mimics.
Accuracy of the Coral Snake Rhyme
While handy, the coral snake rhyme is not 100% accurate for identification. There are exceptions where the rhyme does not apply:
- Some coral snake species have minor variations in their banding patterns. Their red bands may occasionally border black bands, contradicting the rhyme.
- A few harmless species also have red touching yellow, which could be falsely identified as coral snakes according to the rhyme.
- The rhyme only applies to coral snakes in the Americas. Coral snakes in Asia and Africa have different banding patterns that do not follow the rhyme.
So while the coral snake rhyme is a useful mnemonic device, it should not be the sole basis for identifying coral snakes. Misidentification using the rhyme could lead to harming a harmless snake or underestimating the danger of an actual coral snake.
When the Rhyme Applies
The coral snake rhyme is most accurate for identifying these species in the Americas:
- Micrurus fulvius (Eastern or common coral snake) – USA
- Micrurus tener (Texas coral snake) – SW USA, Mexico
- Micruroides euryxanthus (Sonoran coral snake)- SW USA, Mexico
- Micrurus spixii – South America
- Micrurus lemniscatus – South America
- Micrurus corallinus – Central & South America
- Micrurus mosquitensis – South America
These species have the classic red-yellow-black banding sequence. The rhyme holds true for identifying most of these coral snakes.
When the Rhyme Does Not Apply
There are also many situations where the coral snake rhyme does not accurately identify species:
- Coral snake species outside the Americas have different banding, like Calliophis bivirgatus in Asia and Aspidelaps lubricus in Africa.
- Some harmless milk snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum) have red bands touching yellow.
- Scarlet kingsnakes (Lampropeltis elapsoides) have alternating red, black and yellow bands.
- Some coral snakes have anomalous patterning. M. fulvius specimens occasionally have a black band between red and yellow.
- Young coral snakes may have indistinct banding before full coloration.
In these cases, the coral snake rhyme would provide inaccurate and potentially dangerous advice. So the rhyme should not be solely relied upon.
Using the Coral Snake Rhyme Safely
To safely use the coral snake rhyme for identification:
- Only apply it to coral snake species in the Americas.
- Use it as a mnemonic aid, not definitive identification.
- Look for other distinctive coral snake features like a blunt black snout, round pupils, and lack of rattles.
- If in doubt, avoid contact and seek expert advice.
Additionally, become familiar with common harmless species like milk snakes and kingsnakes in your local area to avoid confusion.
With proper precautions, the coral snake rhyme can be a useful tool for identification. But always use caution and do not rely on it absolutely, due to exceptions with coral snake banding and mimics.
How to Positively Identify Coral Snakes
To positively identify coral snakes and distinguish them from non-venomous species, experts recommend looking for this combination of characteristics:
| Coral Snake Features | Harmless Mimic Features |
|---|---|
| Red bands touch yellow bands | Red bands touch black bands |
| Round pupils | Elliptical pupils |
| Lack rattles on tail | May have rattles on tail |
| Black snout/nose | Red, yellow, or white snout/nose |
| Slender body | Thicker body |
Using this combination of physical and color pattern clues provides the most definitive identification. Relying solely on the rhyme or any single trait can lead to incorrect conclusions.
Conclusion
The coral snake rhyme is a useful but imperfect mnemonic device. It generally holds true for identifying major coral snake species in the Americas. However, due to variability in coral snake color patterns and mimics, the rhyme should not be followed blindly.
To safely and positively identify coral snakes:
- Use the rhyme as an initial guess, not an absolute rule.
- Look for other distinctive physical and behavioral coral snake traits.
- Learn to identify harmless mimics like milk snakes and kingsnakes.
- When in doubt, avoid contact and consult an expert.
With proper precautions, the coral snake rhyme can help distinguish dangerous species from harmless lookalikes. But it should always be used in combination with other identification techniques for optimal accuracy and safety.
