The scarlet king snake (lampropeltis elapsoides) found in the eastern united states has similar coloration to that of the poisonous eastern coral snake (micrurus fulvius). this is an example of
its an example of mimicry. since coral snake is poisonous, potential predators stay away if they recognize its pattern. The king snake is not poisonous, but by imitating the appearance of a species that IS poisonous, the king snake may reap the benefits of a preventative defense it doesnt actually possess
