Eastern Coral Snake

Eastern Coral Snake

Micrurus fulvius fulvius

Range:

The coral snake occurs throughout the entire state including the northern keys. The species extends north to southeastern North Carolina and west to eastern Texas and northeastern Mexico.

Habitat:

Habitats vary from well-drained pine woods to comparatively moist areas near ponds or streams. Coral snakes are secretive. They hide under leaves or mulch, in logs or stumps and even among blades of lawn grass.

Size/Description/Coloration:

The average length is around 20-30 inches with a record of 47.5 inches. The body is ringed with bright alternating red, yellow and black bands all the way around the body, the red bands are most often flecked with black.

In the coral snake, yellow and red touch, just as they do on a traffic light, and this is a warning or danger signal, just like a traffic light. Coral snakes usually have a black nose unfortunately, when agitated; the coral snake often hides it head within its coils and will curl up its tail and raise it above the body hoping it will be mistaken for the head.

Coral snake fangs are fixed front fangs (non-erectile). The primarily neurotoxic venom affects the nervous system. This snake is related to the Old World cobras, kraits and mambas. While their disposition is rather mild, these snakes are extremely quick and can bite when least expected they do not “strike” like most snakes, instead they swing their head around to bite. Contrary to popular belief, they do not have to “chew” to inject their venom. They can inject venom from a single strike without chewing and they can also bite and inject venom anywhere – they are not limited to the webbing between the fingers, etc.

Because the coral snake is a relative of the cobras, people believe its bite is always fatal. While its bite is serious and should receive immediate medical attention, statistics suggest that the bite of the coral snake is less threatening than the bite of an eastern diamondback rattlesnake. As of 2008 there has been one death attributed to the coral snake in the United States over the last 40 years.

Reproduction:

This snake lays two to three eggs and has an incubation period of about 90 days. The young are about seven inches long and are venomous upon hatching. The color patterns of the young are the same as the adults.

Diet:

Coral snakes feed on other snakes, lizards and frogs Comments: Because they also are banded with red, black, and yellow, two harmless snakes in Florida, the scarlet king snake and the scarlet snake, are often are confused with the coral snake. These non-venomous mimics (look-alikes) are beneficial and are harmless.

Status in the Wild:

Common