While most snakes tend to have more subdued color patterns like browns, grays, and blacks, some species are known for their bright and vibrant coloring. Vibrantly colored snakes inhabit tropical regions around the world, from the forests of South America to the jungles of Southeast Asia. Their colorful patterns and markings serve important purposes like camouflage, warning off predators, and attracting mates. Some of the most vibrantly colored snake species include coral snakes, green tree pythons, rainbow boas, and king snakes.
Coral Snakes
Coral snakes are a highly venomous group of snakes that are known for their distinctive bright color patterns of red, yellow/white, and black bands. There are over 65 recognized species of coral snakes found throughout the Americas from the southeastern United States down through South America. Species like the eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius), Arizona coral snake (Micruroides euryxanthus), and southern coral snake (Micrurus frontalis) inhabit the southern U.S. and Central America. Meanwhile the South American coral snake (Micrurus lemniscatus) and other species are found farther south.
Coral snakes exhibit a unique color pattern of wide red bands bordered by narrower yellow/white and black bands. The sequence of these colors is important for identification, as coral snakes are the only snakes in their range to have adjacent red and yellow/white bands. This bright alternating color sequence serves as a warning (aposematic coloration) to potential predators of the snake’s potent venom. Coral snakes are elapid snakes, meaning they have short, fixed front fangs that deliver potent neurotoxic venom that paralyzes prey and can be quite dangerous to humans if bitten. Their small mouths and fangs make it difficult for them to bite humans except in rare cases of handling them.
Green Tree Pythons
Green tree pythons (Morelia viridis) are a non-venomous constricting species found in tropical rainforests and woodlands of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and parts of Australia. They are arboreal snakes that are highly adapted for living in trees and forests. As their name suggests, green tree pythons have vibrant green coloring that provides excellent camouflage in the rainforest canopy.
Hatchling green tree pythons start out life with bright yellow, red, or blue coloration. After several months they begin to metamorphose into the iconic green coloration (and red color in some populations) that camouflages them in the treetops. Their body color can range from bright lime green to deeper emerald hues. Some individuals may retain blue flecks or have a turquoise sheen, and populations in some areas develop a red color instead of green. The belly scales are generally yellow or white. Their color-changing abilities let them blend in as they move between different forest habitats and hunting areas.
Rainbow Boas
Rainbow boas (Epicrates cenchria) are a medium-sized, non-venomous boa species found in tropical Central and South America. They are named for their iridescent and colorful skins that can reflect a “rainbow” of colors. Base coloration consists of three dark dorsal stripes on a background of various shades of orange, yellow, or red. Underneath the scales, structured tissue refracts and reflects light to produce an iridescent, metallic sheen in colors like purple, gold, green, and blue. The degree of iridescence varies between individuals and populations. For example, Brazilian rainbow boas tend to be more vibrantly iridescent than some other populations.
The rainbow sheen provides camouflage by breaking up the snake’s outline in the dappled rainforest light. The vibrant colors may also serve as aposematic warning coloration advertising the snake’s strong musk and tendency to coil into a threatening display if disturbed. Rainbow boas are constrictors that use their muscular bodies to subdue prey like small mammals, lizards, and birds. Though not venomous, they can deliver a painful bite in defense if threatened.
King Snakes
King snakes are a widespread, non-venomous colubrid species found throughout the Americas. They are opportunistic predators of small mammals, birds, eggs, lizards, and other snakes (even venomous ones). King snakes exhibit a range of colorful patterns like bands, speckles, and saddle-shaped blotches. Some of the most vibrantly colored subspecies include:
– Scarlet king snakes (Lampropeltis elapsoides) – Found in the southeastern U.S., these kingsnakes have bright red-orange, yellow, and black bands. The vibrant coloration advertises their harmless nature to potential predators.
– California king snakes (Lampropeltis californiae) – Native to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, these kingsnakes may have alternating bands of black and white, brown and yellow, or sometimes bright red or orange. High-contrast bands provide camouflage in their scrub and desert habitats.
– Milk snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum) – Ranging across most of North America, milk snakes exhibit contrasting tricolor bands of red/orange, black and yellow/white. The vibrant patterns mimic deadly coral snakes that share parts of their range.
– Brazillian king snakes (Lampropeltis meticulosa) – Found in parts of Central and South America, these snakes have saddles of orange, pink, red, yellow and black. Their colorful markings are distinctive in their tropical forest habitat.
Conclusion
While most snakes have adopted cryptic coloration for camouflage and safety, some species have evolved attention-grabbing vibrant colors and patterns. Coral snakes, green tree pythons, rainbow boas, and king snakes are examples of snakes with high visual contrast and iridescent coloring. These adaptations serve various purposes from disguising the snakes in their habitats, to warning off predators, to attracting mates. So if you are looking for a beautifully colored snake species, these vibrantly patterned snakes deliver some of the most spectacular colors and designs in the serpent world.
