Have you ever been in an argument with someone over Coral Snakes?

[Oxylepy]

When I was a little kid I heard the saying: "Red and yellow kill a fellow. Red and black, venom lack."

I have been in innumerable arguments with people over this saying. A few people know similar sayings, and most of them just say that isnt how they heard it but those are the correct colors. However I have spent hours of my life bickering with people over which color combination is venomous. At this point I absolutely have no doubt my color set is correct because I have looked it up so many times, but I know far too many people who, based on their sayings, would freak out if a false coral was around, or would go pick up a coral snake...

Oh, wow... I was just looking them up... It seems that due to so few bites they are no longer going to produce antivenom, and the current stock runs out in 2010. Meaning that they are now going to be even more dangerous.

[rabernet]

I've never discussed with anyone - but I've heard red on black - friend of Jack, red on yellow - kills a fellow.

[Pip]

I've never discussed with anyone - but I've heard red on black - friend of Jack, red on yellow - kills a fellow.

That's the one I grew up with.

[Oxylepy]

*high five*

Glad to hear you're one of the people who would recognize a coral snake.

But yeah somehow other people when they hear the phrase if the colors (from what they think the phrase is) are off they start arguing with me, ultimately leading me to tell them to look it up, and them either never admitting they were wrong or never looking it up.

[muddoc]

Just remember that your saying only works in the US. In South America, there are coral snakes (especially the marine corals) in which the black and red can touch.

[Oxylepy]

All the arguments were in America with life long residents, so that isn't much worry there. But yes, that's definitely true.

[jkobylka]

"Red and yellow kill a fellow. Red and black, venom lack."

This one is what I've always known...

Justin

[hig]

red on yellow kills a fellow
red on black friendly jack

[Breadbug500]

I always liked the Steve Irwin version of the saying, which is something along the lines of "If you see a snake thats red, yellow, and black in the wild dont go near it!"

[tsdsbd]

great breadbug! cant be too safe right!

or consistantly carry snake tongs with you...lol