We all know snakes come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. These reptiles are common in most parts of the world, but there are some species of snakes with unusual quirks that are far less common than others. Keeping this in mind, we are back with a list of some common snakes that are red, black, and white. It means that these particular species of snakes have all three colors present.
No wonder some of them are among the most beautiful snakes in the world. Probably, you have heard of this, “Red and yellow, kill a fellow; red and black, friend of Jack.” It signifies that the snakes in the list are not harmful to us except for one. We know what you’re thinking of. So, from coral snakes to milk snakes, let’s begin our list of Snakes that are Red, Black, and White.
1) Arizona Coral Snake
Let’s begin the list of snakes that are red, black and white with the most common venomous snake, i.e., Coral Snakes. These snakes are widely in red, black, and yellow strips; however, here we are mentioning Arizona coral snakes (also known as Western coral snakes or Sonoran coral snakes) that are in red, black, and white strips.
These snakes are tiny and beautiful but don’t misjudge them. Their venom is similar to that of the cobra, but due to their small size, they deliver significantly less venom that is not enough to pose as much danger to humans. Arizona Coral Snakes are mainly found in arid and semiarid regions.
Scientific name: Micruroides euryxanthus
Size: 13-24 inches
Location: central and southern Arizona
2) Eastern Milk Snake
Let’s jump on to the second common snake, i.e., Eastern Milk Snake. In the southern areas of its region, most Eastern Milk Snakes are found in red, black, and white patterns.
These snakes are non-venomous and have smooth and shiny scales. Eastern Milk Snakes are commonly found in rural areas or open habitats like forest edges. They primarily feed on mice or other small rodents, birds, eggs etc. Eastern Milk Snakes are larger than venomous coral snakes.
Scientific name: Lampropeltis triangulum
Size: 24-36 inches
Location: Maine to Ontario in the north to Alabama and North Carolina in the south
3) Sonoran Shovel-Nosed Snake
Sonoran Shovel-Nosed Snakes are non-venomous snakes from the genus Sonora and the family Colubridae. These desert snakes are native to the Sonoran Desert in North America.
Most people get confused between Sonoran Shovel-Nosed Snake and Arizona Coral Snake due to their black, yellow (or whitish), and red bands. But the common difference is their snout.
Coral snake has a black snout, while Sonoran Shovel-Nosed snake has a yellow snout. Another difference is the color of their belly.
Coral snakes have patterns on their bellies, while Shovel-Nosed snake has solid yellow belly. It’s good to know the primary differences between these two snakes because, unlike Sonoran Shovel-Nosed snakes, coral snakes are venomous.
Scientific name: Sonora palarostris
Size: 17 inches (maximum length)
Location: the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico
4) Western Milk Snake
Western Milk Snakes, also known as Pale Milk Snakes, are the species of Milk Snakes commonly found in Grasslands, Limestone, and other rocky areas.
These tri-colored snakes have a band comprised of black, white, and red or orange colors. Like other Milk snakes, these snakes primarily feed on mice, small lizards, and other small snakes. Also, they are non-venomous.
Scientific name: Lampropeltis gentilis
Size: 13.8-53.9 inches
Location: Montana and South Dakota, south to Louisiana and west to Arizona
5) Scarlet Kingsnake
Another member of the milk snakes that are red, white, and black is Scarlet Kingsnake, also known as Scarlet Kings Milk Snake. Like other milk snakes, Scarlet Kingsnakes are non-venomous and mainly feed on mice and other small rodents.
These snakes also have tri-colored bands all over the body, consisting of black, white, or yellow and red colors. At the time of birth, scarlet kingsnake has white, black, and red banding, and over a time period, they develop varying shades of yellow. The average lifespan of Scarlet Kingsnake is nearly 12 to 13 years.
Scientific name: Lampropeltis elapsoides
Size: 14-20 inches
Location: throughout Georgia
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6) Mexican Milk Snake
Mexican Milk Snake, also known as Tamaulipas Milk Snake, is a species of Milksnake native to the hot semiarid regions of northeastern Mexico. These snakes have a slightly different pattern with narrow bands of yellow or white and black colors.
The popular phrase, “Red on yellow kill a fellow. Red on black venom lack,” doesn’t apply to Milk snakes, as they are non-venomous. Their average life span is somewhere between 12 to 20 years.
Scientific name: Lampropeltis annulata
Size: 24-30 inches
Location: northeastern Mexico in Coahuila, Tamaulipas, and Nuevo León
7) Miami Corn Snake
The corn snake is a species of North American rat snake that hunts its food through constriction. Corn snakes have been named like this as they’re primarily present near grain stores, where it hunts mice and rats that eat harvested crops.
Since they’re not venomous, this snake species benefits humans by assisting in controlling populations of wild pests. Hence, further protecting our crops and spreading of diseases.
Miami snake has a silver body with red-orange patches on it. Their age expectancy can exceed 23 years but only in captivity.
Their food includes young mice, bird’s eggs, white-footed mice or some other amphibians and reptiles. Corn snakes are one of the most popular pet snakes throughout the world.
Scientific name: Pantherophis guttatus
Size: 61-132cm
Location: Southeastern and central United States
8) Central American Milk Snake
Central American milk snake is a species of kingsnake that are found in North and Central American regions of the world. Milk snakes are found in forested areas, near swamps, rocky slopes and beaches. They have smooth, shiny scales predominantly of red, black and white colors.
Milk snakes have only tiny teeth and are non-venomous. Hence, makes them harmless for human beings. Milk snakes hunt down crickets, insects, slugs, earthworms, lizards, bird’s eggs, frogs, fish and their snakes.
Male ones are larger than female milk snakes, but female ones are bulkier than males. They are also popular pets throughout the world.
Scientific name: Lampropeltis triangulum
Size: 36-183cm
Location: Southeastern extreme of Canada through the eastern half of the United States
9) South American Milk Snake
The South American milk snake, commonly called the Ecuadorian milk snake, is a species of milk snake that is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela.
They possess significantly three colors, red, black and mustard, in which alternating red and mustard bands surrounded with black strips can be seen. Milk snakes are not venomous and hence harmless to human beings. They feed on small rodents, bird’s eggs, frogs, fish and their eggs as well.
Milk snakes have a size of 14 to 69 inches. Male and female ones grow to the same length, but females are slightly bulkier than males. They are also among the most popular pet snakes in the world.
Scientific name: Lamproletis micropholis
Size: 14 to 69 inches
Location: Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela
10) Pueblan Milk Snake
Pueblan milk snake also called Campbell’s milk snake, is one of the most beautiful snakes with vivid color variations. They have black, red, and white color bands all over the body.
Not only this, Pueblan milk snakes have extensive white bands giving them distinguishing characteristics from other milk snakes. They rarely bite. Their diet comprises a wide range, including mice, rats, birds, lizards, frogs, and other snakes, including venomous snakes. They are non-venomous and can grow up to 48 inches.
Scientific name: Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli
Size: 36 to 48 inches
Location: southern Puebla, eastern Morelos and northern Oaxaca, Mexico
11) Florida Scarlet Snake
Let’s end the list of snakes that are red, white, and black with the Florida Scarlet snake, also known as the Northern Scarletsnake. They have skinny bodies with band markings in black, white, and red colors. They have shiny scales and are non-venomous.
Florida Scarlet Snakes are not dangerous to humans or pets and feed on small rodents.
Scientific name: Cemophora coccinea
Size: 14-20 inches
Location: throughout Florida
Here, we conclude our article on “Snakes that are Red, Black, and White.” Most of them are from the Milk Snake species. We hope you like our post. We will be back with another interesting post. Till then, stay tuned with us and read the articles mentioned below.
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Monty is a founder of How It See. Being a life science student in a reputed university, he always wonders about an eclectic correlation between science and nature. After engaging in various college projects, Monty determined to share all his knowledge with you as a writer. In the meantime, he loves to research and study about the various types of colorful animals.