Eastern Coral Snake

Micrurus fulvius fulvius

Range: Eastern North Carolina to Key Largo and west through the gulf states to eastern Louisiana.

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

Description: The average length is around 20 inches. Skins are bright with alternating red, yellow and black bands around the body. The red bands touch the yellow bands. In contrast, the coral snake’s non-venomous look-alikes, the scarlet kingsnake and the scarlet snake, have bands of black between their bands of yellow and red. Coral snakes usually have a black nose.

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 can bite when least expected, hanging on and chewing their fangs into the flesh. The can however, inject venom from a single strike without chewing.

Reproduction: This snake has an incubation period of 90 days for two to three eggs. The young are about seven inches long and are venomous upon hatching.