| Description: Scarlet kingsnakes are among the most beautiful snakes, with their vibrant colors. These harmless snakes are rarely more than two feet long. Their diet includes baby rodents and small lizards and snakes. Scarlet kings are rarely encountered because they are very secretive. They spend their days under bark and other debris, moving overland at night. They are usually found in open pine woods, but occasionally occupy other habitats. They are similar in coloration to venomous coral snakes. Some scientists believe that scarlet kings mimic coral snakes to protect themselves from some predators. Scarlet kings lay two to six eggs in May or June, underground or in rotten logs. The babies, which are tiny replicas of the adults, emerge about two months later. Scarlet kings are great examples of hidden biodiversity, animal and plant species that are present but rarely seen. |
