Harmless · North Carolina
Scarlet Kingsnake
Lampropeltis elapsoides
Small red, black, and pale-banded snake. Often hidden under cover.
At a glance
Size
Usually 14-20 inches.
North Carolina range
Piedmont, Coastal Plain
Habitat
pine woods, sandy soils, under logs
Diet
Small snakes, lizards, and occasionally small rodents.
Pattern
rings
Venomous
No
How to identify it
Small ringed snake with red bands separated from pale yellow or white bands by black bands; the snout is red.
Where to look in North Carolina
Found primarily in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain.
Pine woods and sandy habitats, often beneath bark, logs, or other cover.
Regional maps show broad physiographic provinces, not county-level records.
Photo guide
Use the gallery to check pattern, body shape, and context—not just overall color.
