Coral Snake vs Corn Snake: What’s the Difference?

You may be wondering, just what is the difference between the coral snake vs corn snake? The two snakes share bright, colorful appearances and grow to similar sizes. They even live in some of the same areas of North America. In fact, there are over 50 types of coral snakes in both the New World and the Old World. Here, we’ll focus on the eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius) and the common corn snake (Elaphe guttata).

Read on to learn the exact differences between coral snakes and corn snakes!

Comparing Coral Snake vs Corn Snake

Key Differences Between Coral Snake vs Corn Snake

The key difference between the coral snake and corn snake is that the coral snake is venomous, while the corn snake is not. Corn snakes grow larger than coral snakes and have slightly thicker bodies. Coral snakes are strictly terrestrial—they spend no time in the water or in trees. Corn snakes, however, are both terrestrial and arboreal. Coral snakes have stripes of red, black, and yellow, while corn snakes have a blotched pattern made up of shades of orange.

Let’s take a closer look at the exact differences between coral snakes and corn snakes!

Coral Snake vs Corn Snake: Size 

Most corn snakes grow to around three feet in size, but the largest can reach six feet long. These snakes have a medium build similar to that of the water moccasin or rat snake. They’re not pit vipers, like rattlesnakes, and lack rattles or heat-sensing pits.

In comparison to corn snakes, coral snakes have much more delicate bodies. They don’t grow quite as big as corn snakes, with the biggest coral snakes topping out at just over three feet long. In addition to having lighter bodies, coral snakes also have smaller, narrower heads. In fact, their heads are barely distinguishable from their bodies.

Coral Snake vs Corn Snake: Location and Habitat

Eastern coral snakes have a very restricted range. They’re found only in North America: in the coastal lowlands of Florida and the surrounding states, as far north as North Carolina and as far west as Louisiana. There is also an isolated population of coral snakes in central Alabama. Coral snakes are strictly terrestrial and spend most of their time underground in sandy soil. They’re most common in pine woods and scrubland.

Corn snakes have a broader distribution than coral snakes. They live as far north as New Jersey, and as far west as Texas. There are numerous disjunctive populations throughout the southeastern United States. Corn snakes live in many of the same habitats as coral snakes. But, in addition to slithering on the ground, corn snakes also hunt in the trees. They’re most common in sandy uplands, but are also frequently seen in urban, suburban, and agricultural settings.

Coral Snake vs Corn Snake: Appearance

When it comes to the coral snake vs corn snake, appearance is key. Coral snakes have incredibly unique appearances. To start, their heads are no wider than their bodies, which gives them a worm-like appearance. They have round black eyes, and tiny fangs at the front of their mouth. Coral snakes have regular black and red stripes separated by thin yellow stripes, giving them the characteristic coral snake appearance.

Corn snakes have more snake-like bodies than coral snakes. Juveniles are dusky tan in color, with regular brown-orange blotches across their backs. Adults have a brighter, more orange base color, with dark orange blotches. These snakes have round eyes and narrow heads.

Coral Snake vs Corn Snake: Behavior

Spending most of their time underground, coral snakes hunt for frogs, lizards, worms, and small snakes. They strike quickly to envenomate, then wait for the prey to weaken and die before moving in to eat. These snakes don’t give birth to live young, instead they lay eggs that hatch in late summer.

Corn snakes are very docile and lack venom, making them the perfect pet snake for beginner snake enthusiasts. Like coral snakes, corn snakes spend a lot of time underground, hunting for rodents. They eat mice, small rats, voles, shrews, birds, small snakes, lizards, and frogs.  Both coral snakes and corn snakes are often found in suburban areas.

Coral Snake vs Corn Snake: Lifespan

Coral snakes and corn snakes may have many differences, but one thing they do have in common is their estimated lifespan. In the wild, both species are thought to live for an average of seven years. Coral snakes are secretive, and little studied, so their lifespan is, in many ways, a best estimate. Corn snakes however are very popular pet snakes, so their lifespan is better studied. In captivity, corn snakes frequently surpass ten years of age.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © KAMONRAT/Shutterstock.com