Snakes
This is a Scarlet King Snake and is often confused with a poisonous coral snake.
It was found and killed today by one of our homeowners but is, in fact harmless and beneficial.
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Scarlet King Snake --------- Coral Snake
Comparison with other species: The coral snake has a black nose while both the scarlet kingsnake and the scarlet snake have red noses. Also, on both the coral snake and the scarlet kingsnake the rings go all the way around the body, but not on the scarlet snake which has a white belly. Both the scarlet king snake and the scarlet snake are beneficial and should not be harmed.
If you have difficulty separating the harmless mimics from the coral snake, the following mnemonic rhyme will identify the coral snake for you:
If red touches yellow, it can kill a fellow' (coral snake)
If red touches black, it is a friend of Jack' (scarlet king snake or scarlet snake)