Scarlet snakes are fairly small relatively slender snakes that are patterned with alternating red, black, and white or yellow bands. Scarlet snakes are one of the three "tricolored" snakes in our region and, like the harmless scarlet kingsnake, have red bands that do not touch yellow bands. However, this species can be distinguished from the scarlet kingsnake because the kingsnake's bands completely or nearly completely encircle the body while the bands of the scarlet snake do not extend onto the venter, leaving the underside solid white, pink, or grayish.
Ten Facts about Scarlet Snake
- Scarlet snakes are found throughout Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions of the southeastern U.S., from the Pine Barrens of New Jersey west to Oklahoma and throughout Florida.
- Like many of the small fossorial snakes in our region, scarlet snakes spend most of their lives underground and are most frequently encountered hiding beneath logs, rocks, leaf-litter, or debris such as boards, tin, or trash.
- Scarlet snakes feed primarily on eggs of other reptiles .They also occasionally consume small lizards, snakes, and frogs.
- Scarlet snakes are relatively small snakes, growing to 14-20 inches (36-51 cm) at adult size.
- Scarlet snakes are oviparous, generally laying 3-8 eggs per clutch.
- Breeding occurs throughout the spring months, and eggs are laid throughout the summer and hatch in the early fall.
- Scarlet snakes emerge from hibernation in late spring and are active only at night.
- Life span: up to 8 years.
- Predators includes, Cats, birds, hawks, Owls, raccoons, hawks.
- Attain sexual maturity at the age of 1-2 years.
