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Definition of scarlet kingsnake
scarlet kingsnake
Plural:scarlet kingsnakes
scarlet kingsnake Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
8
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American A small, non-venomous snake (Lampropeltis elapsoides) native to the southeastern and eastern United States, characterized by distinctive red, black, and yellow or white bands that mimic the pattern of the venomous coral snake.
Example
"The hiker was relieved to realize the brightly banded reptile crossing the trail was merely a harmless scarlet kingsnake rather than a venomous coral snake."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The name derives from its striking 'scarlet' (red) coloration and its classification as a 'kingsnake,' a common name given to snakes of the genus Lampropeltis due to their habit of preying on other snakes, including venomous ones.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Scarlet kingsnake. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/scarlet kingsnake