Which of the following best explains why the coral snake and the king snake are often confused for one another in the context of taxonomy?

• A. They exhibit Batesian mimicry, where the non-venomous king snake mimics the coloration of the venomous coral snake.
• B. They belong to the same genus and are closely related species.
• C. Both are venomous snakes found in the same geographic regions.
• D. They are both classified as amphibians due to their similar habitats.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of Batesian mimicry: Batesian mimicry occurs when a harmless species evolves to imitate the warning signals of a harmful species to deter predators. In this case, the king snake mimics the coloration of the venomous coral snake.
2. Analyze the taxonomy of the coral snake and king snake: Taxonomy is the classification of organisms. Coral snakes and king snakes do not belong to the same genus, so they are not closely related species.
3. Evaluate the venomous nature of both snakes: Coral snakes are venomous, while king snakes are non-venomous. This distinction is crucial in understanding why Batesian mimicry applies here.
4. Consider their classification: Coral snakes and king snakes are reptiles, not amphibians. Amphibians are a different class of animals, such as frogs and salamanders, which live in both aquatic and terrestrial environments.
5. Conclude why they are confused for one another: The confusion arises due to Batesian mimicry, where the harmless king snake mimics the coloration of the venomous coral snake to avoid predation.