RED SNAKES
If you like colorful snakes, you will love red snakes, or snakes that possess various hues of red in their patterning. Here are some examples of remarkable red snakes:
Scarlet Snakes are red, black, and white small snakes that somewhat resemble the venomous Coral Snakes. They have a red snout and a series of red blotches outlined by black. These red snakes hide in sandy habitats and are rarely encountered, so you’ll have to look closely in order to spot one of these stunning serpents.
Scarlet Kingsnakes are also small snakes, ringed with red, yellow or white, and black. These red snakes can be found in pine flatwood, such as under the bark of pine snags where they shed their skins and hunt for prey.
The Corn Snake is alternatively known as the “Red Rat Snake.” Commonly found in southern Georgia, this beautiful serpent is colored with red-outlined-by-black blotches on an orange background. Its scales have a checkerboard appearance or “piano key” pattern. However, while they may look pretty, these red snakes are carnivores that prey upon rats, mice, birds and their eggs. Young Corn Snakes eat lizards.
The Red Bellied Black Snake is a well-known venomous species found in abundance in Australia. Named for its red belly and black top, these large red snakes can grow up to 1.5 meters in length! Red Bellied Black Snakes mainly eat frogs, but they also eat other reptiles and small mamamals. In fact, some of these red snakes consume other snakes, including those of their own species. And speaking of ‘facts,’ here is one more fascinating detail about Red Bellied Black Snakes: These red snakes give birth to up to 40 live snakes at one time!
Finally, the Red Tail Boa Constrictor is probably one of the most popular red snakes, in spite of its imposing appearance. Red Tail Boas are large, with adults averaging 6 to 8 feet long. Their beautiful red color has made them a favorite in the pet trade. However, don’t let the beauty of these red snakes beguile you: Red Tail Boas use constriction to kill their prey, meaning they seize their prey with their sharp teeth, wrap their body around their victims and squeeze, preventing expansion of their prey’s lungs and causing asphyxiation. And since the lower jawbones of these red snakes are detached from their skull, elasticity allows their mouths to stretch and swallow prey larger than their own heads!
Clearly, red snakes in all their variations are not only stunning to gaze at; they are riveting, fascinating specimens that will keep you mesmerized for a long time to come!
