Coral Snake:Diving into the Depths of Nature’s Most Vibrant Predators
The Coral Snake is a small venomous snake well known for its bright colors. It has one of the most powerful venoms of all snakes.
When we commonly talk about "coral snake", we are referring to the best known: the American coral snake 🌎. But coral snakes are divided into two large groups:
Asian Coral Snakes ("Old World")
American Coral Snakes ("New World")
The New World coral snake is considered one of the most poisonous reptiles in North America. And if there is one snake that Texas residents have learned to be wary of, it is this one! 😅
This fabulous animal is well known to the general public because of its color and venom. However, few people really know more about it. In this comprehensive article, we invite you to discover in detail everything there is to know about this fascinating snake!
1) Characteristics of the Coral Snake
A) Size and Morphology
The coral snake generally measures between 45 and 50 centimeters. But some species reach 1 meter 📏. The western coral snake can be as thin as a pencil. All representatives of this genus have thin cylindrical bodies, smooth scales and a short tail.
The coral snake's nose is rounded, its head is bulbous and its neck is almost invisible. Its body is covered with colored scales that have a smooth and shiny appearance.
The rounded head is uncommon among venomous snakes. Most of these small creatures have a triangular head (Fer de Lance, Rattlesnakes, 🐍...). Similarly, the coral snake's pupils are round while they are slit-shaped in the majority of venomous ophidians.
B) The Coral Snake
The most distinctive physical feature of coral snakes is undoubtedly their brightly colored and patterned bodies 🤩. Most species are tricolored (rarely bicolored), with various combinations of red, black, yellow, or white rings. The width of the colored collars varies depending on the species.
C) Lifespan
The average lifespan of a coral snake in the wild is unknown, but it can live up to 7 years in captivity ⌚. But the record for longevity in captivity for the eastern coral snake is 18 years!
Is coral snake poisonous to humans?
Yes, coral snakes are poisonous to humans. Their venom is a potent neurotoxin that can cause paralysis and respiratory failure if not treated promptly.
While coral snakes are generally shy and not prone to aggression, it's important to avoid handling them or approaching them too closely. If you're bitten by a coral snake, seek medical attention immediately.
2) The Coral Snake in the Animal Kingdom
A) Classification and Taxonomy of the Coral Snake
According to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), the coral snake belongs to the order Squamata, the suborder Serpents, and the family Elapidae 👨🎓. The Elapidae family includes the most venomous snakes in the world, including cobras, sea snakes and black mambas.
The term "Coral Snake" is generally used to refer to a single animal. But in fact this term refers to a genus of snakes. It includes about 70 species of coral snakes in America, and about 15 species of coral snakes in Asia 🌏. To make this article easier to understand, we have chosen to refer only to the "coral snake".
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B) The Different Types of Coral Snakes
In the United States, three types of coral snake predominate:
Micrurus fulvius: Eastern coral snake, located in Florida and the southeastern United States. Also called the eastern coral snake, this species is the best known to the general public 📺.
Micrurus tener: Texas coral snake, located in Texas and northwestern Mexico.
Micruroides eurxanthus: Sonoran coral snake, located in the southwestern United States and the state of Sonora, Mexico.
Distribution of Coral Snakes in the United States
Among the species of coral snakes in Asia are:
- 8 species of Calliophis
- 5 species of Sinomicrurus
- The unique species Hemibungarus from the Philippines
- 2 species of Maticora from the East Indies (on this species the venom glands extend over more than a third of the body! 😮).
There are also two African coral snakes (Homoroselaps). These animals are orange, black, and yellow. They have a wider neck, much like the King Cobra.
3) Blue Coral Snake and Other Species
Since the term "Coral Snake" refers to a group of several species of snake, many other ophidians have this name 🤔. And sometimes, they don't look like your idea of a coral snake at all! Here are the three main species of coral snake:
Eastern Coral Snake: From North Carolina to Florida and Texas, this is the brightest of the North American coral snakes. Its body is entirely covered in brilliant bands of black, red, and yellow.
Western or Arizona Coral Snake: This snake from southwestern North America has the same basic color pattern as its eastern counterpart, although the colors are slightly muted. The yellow bands, in particular, are paler, and can even be white.
Malaysian Blue Coral Snake (Calliophis bivirgatus): This stunning snake lives in the jungles of Southeast Asia. It has a dark blue body with light blue or white stripes on each side. It is recognizable by its beautiful head and coral-red tail.
Blue Coral Snake
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Is it possible to survive a coral snake bite?
Yes, it is possible to survive a coral snake bite, but prompt medical treatment is crucial. Coral snake bites can be life-threatening due to the potency of their neurotoxic venom, which can cause severe symptoms like paralysis and respiratory distress. However, with timely and appropriate medical care, including antivenom administration and supportive treatment, survival rates are high.
Here’s what to do in case of a coral snake bite:
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Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Go to the nearest emergency medical facility as quickly as possible.
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Immobilize the Affected Limb: Keep the bitten area still and below the level of the heart to slow the spread of venom.
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Do Not Use a Tourniquet: Applying a tourniquet can worsen the situation and should be avoided.
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Avoid Cutting the Wound: Do not attempt to cut the bite area or suck out the venom.
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Keep the Patient Calm: Reduce anxiety and movement, as this can help slow the spread of venom.
With rapid and appropriate treatment, including the administration of antivenom and supportive care, individuals can recover from coral snake bites.
4) The Coral Snake, a Highly Venomous Reptile
A) The Coral Snake and its Venom
The coral snake has one of the most toxic venoms of all snakes (the Desert Taipan being the deadliest snake 💀). This cocktail of amino acids, peptides, proteins and enzymes; is secreted by special glands attached to each fang of the snake.
But coral snakes are generally considered less dangerous than rattlesnakes. And this is because as seen previously, they have a less efficient venom injection system and do not "hit" their prey like rattlesnakes and asp vipers do for example 🙅. Due to its morphology, the coral snake delivers its venom through chewing movements, which is much less efficient.
B) Effects of Coral Snake Venom
The neurotoxic venom of the coral snake acts on the nervous system. It causes rapid paralysis and respiratory failure in its victims. The onset of symptoms in humans can take several hours (up to 12 hours 😰). In addition, there is often little to no pain or swelling in humans following a coral snake bite.
However, if left untreated with antivenom, the neurotoxin begins to disrupt the connections between the brain and muscles of the prey. It causes slurred speech, double vision, and muscle paralysis, eventually leading to respiratory or cardiac failure that can lead to death. ☠️
Unlike the pit viper or rattlesnake, coral snake venom does not cause tissue necrosis.
A snake does not necessarily inject venom with each of its bites 😅. It is recognized that envenomations (bites with venom injection) of coral snakes are relatively rare compared to bites of venomous vipers or other Elapidae such as the Black Mamba.
5) Coral Snake and Antivenom
A) An Antidote to Coral Snake Venom?
The North American Coral Snake Antivenin (NACSA) is an antivenom derived from horses 🐴, used in cases of envenomation by a coral snake in adults and children. Are you surprised by the term "derived from horses"? Then we invite you to consult our article on Snake Venom, to discover how such a serum is made!
The administration of coral snake antivenom is recommended at the first sign of neurological deficit or respiratory failure 💉. The sooner the antivenom is administered, the better! But be careful not to do it before the first symptoms appear.
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B) Antivenom and its Dangers
Currently, NACSA supplies are limited, as production ceased in 2006. The remaining vials of this antivenom are past the manufacturer's expiration date (2008), but the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has extended the expiration date to January 31, 2019 😮.
A new potential antivenom against coral snake venom toxicity (still derived from horses) is currently undergoing clinical trials in the United States 🏥. However, other antivenoms useful against coral snake toxins are available (such as Coralmyn, which is manufactured in Mexico) and recommended by Poison Control.
Allergic and hypersensitivity reactions to equine coral snake antivenom are common. Taking antihistamines is then necessary to avoid any anaphylactic shock due to an allergy 💊.
Generally, the management of a coral snake bite is provided by an entire medical team:
- A doctor
- A poison control center
- A toxicologist
- Nurses from intensive care.
- Coral Snake Antivenom Coralmyn
What snake is mistaken for a coral snake?
Several snakes are often mistaken for coral snakes due to their similar coloration. The most common ones include:
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Scarlet King Snake (Lampropeltis elapsoides): This non-venomous snake mimics the coral snake’s coloration with alternating red, black, and yellow (or white) bands. The key difference is that in the scarlet king snake, the red and black bands are adjacent, whereas, in the coral snake, the red and yellow (or white) bands are adjacent. A useful rhyme to remember this is, "Red on black, friend of Jack; red on yellow, kill a fellow."
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Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum): Similar to the coral snake, the milk snake has vibrant banding, but the pattern and color arrangement differ. Milk snakes can also exhibit varying color patterns depending on their subspecies.
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Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos): Although not as visually similar as the scarlet king or milk snakes, the hognose can sometimes be confused with coral snakes due to their general coloration.
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Other Mimics: Various other non-venomous snakes also exhibit banding patterns similar to those of coral snakes, often as a form of Batesian mimicry to avoid predation.
The key to distinguishing these harmless mimics from the venomous coral snake is to look at the pattern of the color bands and their arrangement. Coral snakes have a distinctive pattern where the red bands are adjacent to the yellow bands, while the mimics have different arrangements.
6) One of the Most Dangerous Snakes in the World
A) The Coral Snake and its Bite
Peaceful and fearful, the coral snake generally only bites humans when handled or stepped on 💥. Unlike most other venomous snakes, the coral snake cannot contract its fangs in its mouth in order to "extend its fangs" to bite.
The small fixed fangs of coral snakes and their small mouth make it difficult for them to pierce human skin, let alone leather boots. Coral snakes must therefore literally chew their victim to completely inject their venom. Humans are most commonly bitten when attempting to capture a coral snake 🖐️. Due to their small size, these snakes do not carry much venom in their fangs, so they may attempt to hold on to their victim for a while.
As a result, most human bites do not result in death because the snake is unable to inject a lethal amount of venom. In fact, there have been no reported deaths from coral snake bites in the United States since antivenom was developed in 1967 👍. Only 25 to 50 of the approximately 9,000 total snake bites in the United States are from coral snakes. The species Micrurus fulvius and Micrurus tener account for all reported coral snake bites in the United States.
Unlike pit vipers, coral snakes are more secretive and are very shy 😨. For this reason, coral snake bites often occur after intentional handling of the snake by humans, or as a result of harassment by curious animals.
However, a coral snake bite can be extremely painful, and the toxins it injects can lead to cardiac arrest if left untreated. 💔
B) Symptoms of Envenomation
Initial symptoms of a coral snake bite may include mild pain at the bite site (no bite marks may be visible), nausea 🤢, vomiting, dizziness, and abdominal pain.
Neurotoxicity of the venom manifests itself in several ways:
Progressive motor deficits (difficulty moving)
Neurological deficits (difficulty thinking and concentrating)
Increasing muscle weakness
Fatal complications of coral snake bites are related to respiratory muscle weakness and the need for ventilatory support when the patient's condition deteriorates too much.
Significant envenomation is rare due to the coral snake's less aggressive behavior and inefficient venom delivery mechanism. However, the delay in onset of symptoms of up to 12 hours warrants very close medical observation after a reported bite 🔎.
C) Treatment of Coral Snake Bite
When a victim presents with a coral snake bite, it is important to determine when the bite occurred as neurotoxic effects and respiratory failure can be delayed up to 12 hours ⌚.
Treating a coral snake bite is a 3-step process:
- Ensure that the snake does not bite anyone again
- Treat local wounds, even if they are usually minimal 🩹
- Reduce the victim's movements to a minimum
- Avoid activities that increase the heart rate to reduce the spread of venom in the body
- Contrary to popular belief, tourniquets, venom extraction (by incision and oral, manual or mechanical aspiration) and cryotherapy are not recommended ❌.
Due to the possibility of delayed onset of symptoms, victims of a coral snake bite should be monitored for at least 24 hours 🩺. Hospitalization then includes close respiratory monitoring and frequent neurological exams.
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What is special about coral snake?
Coral snakes are fascinating for several reasons:
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Potent Venom: Coral snakes possess a highly potent neurotoxic venom that can cause severe symptoms, including paralysis and respiratory failure. This venom affects the nervous system and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
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Distinctive Coloring: They are known for their striking and vivid coloration, which typically includes alternating bands of red, yellow (or white), and black. This bright coloration is a warning to potential predators about their toxicity.
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Batesian Mimicry: Many non-venomous snakes, such as the scarlet king snake and milk snake, mimic the coral snake's coloration to avoid predation. This mimicry helps them blend in with the dangerous appearance of coral snakes.
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Elapid Family: Coral snakes are part of the Elapidae family, which includes other venomous snakes like cobras and kraits. Members of this family are characterized by their fixed front fangs that deliver venom.
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Habitat Diversity: Coral snakes inhabit a range of environments, from tropical rainforests to arid regions. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in diverse ecological niches.
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Behavior: Unlike some other venomous snakes, coral snakes are generally not aggressive and will only bite in self-defense. They are also often secretive and spend much of their time hidden under leaf litter or in burrows.
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Reproductive Strategy: Coral snakes are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs rather than giving birth to live young. Their reproductive strategy includes laying clutches of eggs in sheltered environments.
These features make coral snakes both intriguing and dangerous, highlighting their role in their ecosystems and their need for respect and caution from those who encounter them.
7) Coral Snake and Predators
In addition to its powerful venom, the coral snake has other strategies to defend itself against predators 🛡️.
The coral snake's tail resembles the head of a snake, which means that it can be difficult to tell the difference between the two. Coral snakes use this feature to fool attackers by burying their head in their coiled body and raising their tail. This tricks their attacker 🤫, it's better to lose your tail than your head!
When provoked, coral snakes sometimes make a loud noise by expelling air from their cloaca (an opening used for both droppings and reproduction) in order to startle their attacker 💨. These "snake farts" have been observed in other species, such as the western hook-nosed snake. Scientists disagree on the purpose of the behavior. Some have speculated that it is a mating call, but it is accepted that the snake fart has historically been associated with defensive behavior.
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8) Where does the Coral Snake live?
The different species of coral snake can live in a wide variety of environments.
Asian coral snakes live in woodlands 🌳, swampy areas, or jungles. They spend most of their time buried underground or in piles of leaves.
Western species prefer the sandy hills of the southeastern United States, the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, or northern Mexico. In these environments, coral snakes live under rocks and burrow into the sand or soil ⛏️. They can also be found in rocky areas.
Coral snakes are nocturnal and solitary. As a result, they spend most of their time staying warm in burrows, under rocks or rotting leaves 🍂. They are most often observed in spring and autumn.
9) What Does a Coral Snake Eat?
Coral snakes are carnivores. Their favorite prey includes:
- Other small snakes (even small coral snakes) 🐍
- All kinds of lizards 🦎
- Frogs and other amphibians 🐸
- Coral snakes prey on other snakes, especially worms and blind snakes. Lizards are a secondary food source.
10) Coral Snake Reproduction
Unlike many other venomous snakes that give birth to live young, coral snakes lay eggs 🥚 (i.e., they are oviparous). Of the four venomous snakes native to the United States, only the coral snake is oviparous. The other three (Rattlesnake, Copperhead, and Water Moccasin) are pit vipers, and pit vipers do not lay eggs.
Western coral snakes lay 6 to 13 eggs in the summer, which hatch in early fall. Asian coral snakes lay 2 or 3 eggs.
The newly born babies already have their famous color, and their powerful venom. They are about 17 cm long when they hatch 👶.
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11) A Non-Venomous Coral Snake?
A) Coral Snake and False Coral
It is incredible to note that some non-venomous snakes have evolved to look exactly like the real coral snake! Thus, by taking on the appearance of a dangerous snake, these imitators deceive their potential predators by pretending to be more dangerous than they really are 👹. This prevents them from producing venom, which requires a lot of energy and is very precious to the snake.
B) Coral Snakes
There are 50 types of snakes that imitate coral snakes. Among these most famous "false coral snakes" we can mention:
- The King Snake (or Lampropeltis)
- The Eastern Milk Snake
- The Sinaloa False Coral
- The Campbell's False Coral
- However, the disguise of these animals is not perfect... 🤥
12) Recognizing a Real Coral Snake
The best way to distinguish a real coral snake from a fake one is to rely on its colored rings. There is an American proverb that says: "Red touches yellow, kills a fellow. Red touches black, friend of jack" (literally: "Red touches yellow, it kills a man. Red touches black, friend of Jack"). A more mnemonic device would be, for example: "Yellow touches red, you have to move" 🏃💨.
While this maxim works perfectly for coral snakes in the United States, it fails with some species of coral snakes in Asia 🤔. In other parts of the world, venomous coral snakes may have red bands touching black bands, pink and blue bands, or no bands at all.
The best way to identify a coral snake is by its head, which is blunt and black behind the eyes, and by its bands that completely encircle the body, even at the belly.
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And there you have it, you are now an expert on coral snakes! 😀
Generally speaking, coral snakes are not threatened with extinction, as other snakes can be. But in any case, we advise you not to try to capture one if you are lucky enough to be walking in Texas!
Are you passionate about snakes? Us too! That's why we founded Snake Label®: to share our passion for this reptile with as many people as possible.
Whether through our Snake Jewelry or our Snake Clothing, we strive to offer a wide range of quality artisanal products, made to order 👌. The latter are aimed as much at terrarium enthusiasts as at people looking for an original style.
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