Many species of snakes display vibrant colors and intricate patterns on their scales. This coloration can vary quite a bit between different species, and even between individuals of the same species. So what kinds of snakes are known for having strikingly different colors and patterns? Let’s take a closer look at some of the most colorful snake species found around the world.
Coral snakes
Coral snakes are a highly venomous group of snakes found in the Americas that are known for their bright coloration. Their bodies have alternating bands of red, yellow/white, and black. This three-color pattern allows them to be distinguished from look-alike nonvenomous species. The sequence of the colored bands is key – on coral snakes, the red bands always touch the yellow/white bands. Common examples of coral snakes include:
| Species | Region |
| Eastern coral snake | Southeastern United States |
| Texas coral snake | Southcentral United States and Mexico |
| Arizona coral snake | Southwestern United States and Mexico |
| Harter’s coral snake | Mexico |
The brightly-colored bands serve as a warning signal to potential predators that the coral snake is dangerous. There can also be variation within a species – for example, eastern coral snakes may have anywhere from 15 to 65 red/yellow/black bands along their bodies.
Milk snakes
Milk snakes are non-venomous colubrid snakes that can be found throughout North and South America. They get their name from the myth that they sucked milk from cows, which is not true. Milk snakes are well-known for having striking tricolor patterns of red, black and white/yellow bands. These markings closely resemble deadly coral snakes, a classic example of mimicry. Some examples of milk snakes include:
| Species | Region |
| Eastern milk snake | Eastern United States and Canada |
| Western milk snake | Central and Western United States, Mexico |
| Pueblan milk snake | Mexico |
| Honduran milk snake | Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua |
The red bands always touch the black bands on milk snakes, compared to coral snakes where red touches yellow/white. Some individual milk snakes also display color variations like albino (lacking black pigment) or anerythristic (lacking red pigment).
King snakes
King snakes are powerful constrictors found across the Americas that eat other snakes, including venomous ones. Several species exhibit interesting variations in color patterns. For example:
– Scarlet kingsnakes have bright red, black and white bands. Some populations also have striking blue or lavender tail bands.
– Florida scarlet kingsnakes have a more muted pattern of red, brown and cream.
– Speckled kingsnakes are black with speckles and bands of white or pale yellow.
– California kingsnakes display incredible color diversity across populations, ranging from black and white banded to completely red or orange and more.
– Mexican kingsnakes exhibit white, black and orange coloring. Some populations have striking lavender or pink hues mixed in.
This wide variety in color patterns and hues allows king snakes to blend into different habitats across their range.
Garter snakes
Garter snakes belong to the genus Thamnophis and are among the most common snakes in North America. They are highly variable in their coloration, displaying stripes, bars, and spots of black, brown, red and green. Different species exhibit different predominant patterning:
| Species | Common Pattern |
| Common garter snake | Three light stripes on a dark background |
| Western terrestrial garter snake | Bright red stripes outlined in black |
| Butler’s garter snake | Greenish background with black checkered spots |
Interestingly, some coastal populations of the common garter snake have adapted a dark melanic coloration. This likely provides better camouflage against their dark rocky habitat.
Asian vine snakes
Asian vine snakes belong to the genus Ahaetulla and are long, slender arboreal snakes found from India to Southeast Asia. Most species are bright green in color to blend in with foliage, but several display incredible variation:
– The Malayan vine snake has a green body with a red dorsal stripe and red tail. Some individuals are instead blue or turquoise.
– The Sri Lankan vine snake is mostly green but has a thick blue dorsal stripe.
– The red-tailed racer has a purple-red belly and bright red tail.
These colorful markings may help camouflage the snakes in their tropical forest habitat among colorful flowers, fruits and leaves.
Sea snakes
Sea snakes comprise over 60 species that spend their entire lives in ocean waters. Most have striking coloration that serves as camouflage while swimming. The genus Aipysurus includes some prime examples:
– The olive sea snake is mostly black with bands of pale yellow, sometimes mixed with pink.
– The spine-tailed sea snake has alternating black and pale blue bands with a red tail spine.
– Stokes’ sea snake is bluish-gray with small black and white bands down the body.
Sea snakes need to blend in with varied marine environments like coral reefs and open ocean. Their color diversity helps with this camouflage.
Rinkhals
The rinkhals or ring-necked spitting cobra is a dangerous venomous snake found in southern Africa. It is one of the few spitting cobras that displays strong color variations. Some examples:
– The nominate subspecies is boldly patterned with black and white bands and an orange-red throat.
– Rinkhals in northwest South Africa are gray-blue with scattered orange scales.
– Some populations along the southern Cape coast are jet black.
These sharp differences in coloration between regions likely help the snakes blend into the diverse habitats found across South Africa.
Conclusion
Many different snake species display incredible variation in their scale color and patterning. Coral snakes, milk snakes, kingsnakes and garter snakes in the Americas exhibit vibrant combinations of reds, blacks, and whites. Asian vine snakes mix bright greens with brilliant blues and reds. The rinkhals cobra in Africa comes in banded black-and-white, solid black, and more.
For most snakes, their diverse colors act as camouflage to avoid predators and prey. They allow the snakes to blend into their specific habitats, whether desert rocks, tropical leaves or coral reefs. So if you come across a brightly colored snake, make sure to admire its aesthetic beauty…from a safe distance!