Family finds dangerous coral snake in backyard

Experts say the Texas Coral Snake can be common in suburban neighborhoods

MAGNOLIA, Texas – A Magnolia family spotted one of the most venomous snakes in Texas slithering around in their backyard pool.

"I was scared," Kim Sherman said.  "And my husband was very nervous. I thought it was a King Snake. I had no idea."

Because they share similar red, black and yellow colored segments, the Texas Coral Snake is often mistaken for its non-venomous doppelganger, the Scarlet King Snake.  But this one was the venomous Coral Snake.

"My husband went to the garage to get a shovel," Sherman said.  "When he got back out here, it had climbed out onto the deck. And at that point he killed it with the shovel."

Experts say the Texas Coral Snake can be common in suburban neighborhoods but aren't usually aggressive unless handled.

A helpful rhyme to help distinguish the colors between a King Snake and Coral Snake: Red touches yellow, kills a fellow. Red touches black, venom it lacks.