Are there coral snakes in Kentucky?
Short answer
No
None of the 3 US coral snake species has open records from Kentucky.
The nearest populations are in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi.
Coral snakes across the US
- Lives here
- Rare records
- Gone
- Not here
How to recognize them
Eastern coral snake Micrurus fulvius
- Red, yellow and black rings; red rings touch yellow ones
- Black snout followed by a wide yellow band
- Rings go all the way around the body
Dangerous. Its venom attacks the nervous system and symptoms can take hours to show. Any bite is a medical emergency.
Texas coral snake Micrurus tener
- Red, yellow and black rings; red touches yellow
- Black snout
- Red rings often have black speckles
Dangerous. Venom attacks the nervous system and symptoms can be delayed. Any bite is a medical emergency.
Often mistaken for coral snakes
- Coral Snake vs King Snake Scarlet kingsnake: harmless
- Coral Snake vs Milk Snake Milk snake: harmless, lives in Kentucky
- Coral Snake vs Scarlet Snake Scarlet snake: harmless
Questions
Are there coral snakes in Kentucky?
No. There are no open records from the state.
Where are the nearest coral snakes to Kentucky?
In Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi and North Carolina.
What do coral snakes look like?
Red, yellow and black rings; red rings touch yellow ones. Black snout followed by a wide yellow band. Rings go all the way around the body.