This type of snake spends a lot of its time underground or secluded in hollow logs or buried underneath leaf litter. Their behavior varies depending on the species, but most of the coral snakes are quite elusive and fossorial, and they come to the surface only during breeding season or rainy days. This mostly applies to the snakes that live in the jungle or forest areas. The species that live in more deserted areas, like to spend their time under rocks or burrowing into sand and soil.

Coral snakes are nocturnal and lead quite a secretive life underneath rocks or rotting leaves. These snakes are very reclusive and often will flee from predators rather than fight.