HOW TO IDENTIFY CORAL SNAKES

They are little poisonous snakes with brightly colored scales that are very contagious. However, while coral snakes contain the second-strongest venom of any snake (the most lethal being that of the black mamba), they are typically regarded less hazardous than rattlesnakes due to their less efficient poison delivery method.

 

 

According to Sara Viernum, a herpetologist located in Madison, Wisconsin, coral snakes may be divided into two groups: the Old World coral snakes (found in Asia) and the New World coral snakes (found in the Americas). 

 

“New World coral snakes are regarded to be among the most dangerous snakes in North America due to the presence of potent neurotoxins in their venom,” she said.

 

Characteristics

Typically between 18 and 20 inches long (45 and 50 cm), coral snakes are slim and tiny, with some species exceeding three feet in length (1 meter). In fact, according to DesertUSA, the Western coral snake has been known to be as thin as a pencil in appearance. 

 

Because they have bulbous, virtually neckless heads, rounded noses, and similar-looking tails, it may be difficult to identify the difference between a snake’s head and its tail when they are in the wild.

 

 

 

When they attack, they employ this trait to their advantage by burying their heads in their coiled bodies and raising their tails, which are quite similar to their heads in appearance. ‘The concept behind this behavior is that it is preferable to lose your tail than it is to lose your head,’ Viernum said.

 

 

In order to frighten a potential danger, coral snakes may sometimes emit a popping sound by releasing air from their cloaca, which is a single entrance for the urinary, reproductive and digestive tracts. 

 

Other species, such as the Western hook-nosed snake, have been seen to produce “microfarts,” according to a recent article in Reptiles magazine by researcher Joseph F. Gemano Jr. The function of the behavior is disputed among scientists. Some have argued that the fart is a mating call, but Gemano claimed that in his studies, the fart was always accompanied with aggressive-defensive behaviors.

 

 

Colors that pop!

Fournum describes coral snakes as having brilliantly colored and patterned bodies, small, fixed fangs, and a strong venom that distinguishes them from other snakes in the same family. 

 

However, although only a few species contain components of coral coloration, all species have eye-catching patterns and hues, with red bands bordered by yellow bands being the most noticeable.

 

 

Several nonpoisonous snakes have adopted the coral snake’s hazardous reputation, and their body patterns are similar to those of the coral snake. For example, the nonvenomous shovel-nosed snake, according to Viernum, has yellow stripes that contact black bands on both sides of its body. 

 

 

Aside from that, “Scarlet kingsnakes and Eastern coral snakes have a striking resemblance in appearance, however the red bands of a scarlet kingsnake are located next to the black bands, while the red bands of an eastern coral snake are situated close to the yellow bands.”

 

 

In order for people to swiftly and readily distinguish between a nonvenomous snake and a dangerous coral snake, Viernum wrote a rhyme, which he described as follows: According to one rendition of the rhyme:

 

 

Those in red and yellow are capable of killing a colleague; those in red and black are Jack’s closest friends.

He claims that the rhyme is “somewhat correct in terms of U.S. snakes, but fails miserably in terms of Old World coral snakes and numerous New World species located in Central and South America.” 

 

It is possible for coral snakes to have red bands that overlap with black bands in other regions of the globe, or they may have pink and blue banding, or they may have no banding.

 

 

One of the most distinguishing characteristics of a coral snake is its head, which is blunt and black to behind the eyes, and its bands, which fully round the body rather than breaking at the belly.

 

 

Taxonomy/classification

Coral snakes, cobras, sea snakes, and black mambas are all members of the Elapidae family, as are cobras and sea snakes. In the New World, there are over 70 different species of coral snakes, whereas the Old World has just about 15 different kinds.

Accordant to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), coral snakes are classified into the following taxonomic categories:

 

 

the Animalia are a kingdom of beings

• A subkingdom called Bilateria is located inside the kingdom of Bilateria.
• Deuterostomia is a kind of infrakingdom.
• A group of organisms belonging to the Chordata phylum.
• Vertebrata are a subphylum of the animal kingdom.
• Gnathostomata are an infraphylum.
• Tetrapoda is a superclass.
• Reptilia are a class of animals.

Squamata are arranged in the following order:

 1.
A suborder of the genus Serpentes, which means “serpent” in Greek.
Alethinophidia is an infraorder of fungi.
Family: Calliophis, Hemibungarus, and Sinomicrusus are examples of genera found in the Elapidae family (old world). Genera found in the New World include Leptomicrurus, Micruroides, and Micrusus. Species found in the Elapidae family include the following: Descriptions of the most common and stunning coral snakes are provided below:

 

 

 

It is the brightest of the North American coral snakes, the eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius), which ranges from North Carolina to Florida and Texas. This creature’s whole body is coated in colorful bands of black, red, and yellow, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. 

 

Wider red and black bands are divided by narrow brilliant yellow rings. Behind the snake’s black nose, there is a yellow ring. With the exception of one red ring, the tail is entirely black and yellow.

 

 

The Western or Arizona Coral snake (Micruroides euryxanthus) is a North American snake that has the same basic color pattern as its Eastern cousin, albeit the colors are a little more subdued in this species. 

 

 

According to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, the yellow bands, in particular, are lighter and may almost be white in certain cases. Additionally, they are broader than the yellow bands on the Eastern coral snake.

 

 

In Southeast Asia’s rainforests, there is a magnificent snake called the blue Malayan coral snake (Calliophis bivirgatus). It does not have bands, unlike its North American counterparts. As opposed to this, according to Ecology Asia, it has a beautiful coral-red head and tail with light blue or white stripes on each side of its body.

 

 

The colors red and yellow are used to murder a man…

In addition to their poisonous bite, coral snakes have spawned a number of folk songs to assist people distinguish them from their non-venomous relatives.

 

 It is only in North American coral snakes that you will see red bands contacting yellow bands, which indicates poison in the snake’s body. Venomous coral snakes, which are found on other continents, are available in a variety of hues and designs.

 

 

When you see red on yellow, you know it’s time to murder a guy…” Despite their small size, coral snakes are very poisonous, prompting folk songs to assist people distinguish them from their non-venomous counterparts.

 

 

 It is only in North American coral snakes that you will see red bands contacting yellow bands, which indicates poison in the snake’s body. Venomous coral snakes, which are found on other continents, are available in a variety of hues and designs. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided the image.

 

 

 

Habitat

According to the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology’s Animal Diversity Web, coral snakes that dwell in wooded or jungle regions spend the most of their time burrowed underground or in leaf heaps (ADW). 

 

In addition to marshland and woodland habitats, the sandhills in the Southeast United States are home to a variety of other animals.

 

 

They are mostly found in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and Northern Mexico, where they are known as Western coral snakes. The Arizona Leisure website states that they like to reside beneath rocks or burrow into sand or mud, and that they may commonly be seen under Saguaro cactus in the rocky regions surrounding them.

 

 

They are nocturnal creatures that like to remain hidden from prying eyes. It is possible to find them in suburban regions because of their secrecy tendencies. These creatures spend the vast majority of their time in burrows or beneath decaying leaves or rocks to remain warm.

 

 In the spring and autumn, according to the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, they are most often encountered. Because they are timid, these snakes will often retreat from predators.

 

 

Diet

lizards and other tiny, smooth-scaled snakes are among the prey that coral snakes prey upon. As stated by National Geographic, Eastern coral snakes will consume frogs, and according to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Western coral snakes are especially fond of consuming blind or black-headed snakes.

 

 

 

 

Reproduction

Coral snakes lay eggs, in contrast to many other poisonous snakes, which give birth to live offspring. This makes them unique among poisonous snakes in North America, according to the American Dwarf Warrior (ADW). 

 

 

When they lay their eggs in the summer, eastern coral snakes lay between six and seven eggs that hatch in early October. Western coral snakes lay two to three eggs each clutch, according to the species. Children are born vividly colorful, poisonous, and 7 inches (17 cm) in length when they are 7 inches (17 cm).

Bite

Contrary to the majority of other venomous snakes, the coral snake is not capable of contracting its fangs inside its mouth, according to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. As a result, they are continually on display and erecting themselves. These creatures’ teeth are only somewhat effective.

 

 

 

Although coral snake venom is very poisonous, according to National Geographic, no fatalities from coral snake bites have been documented in North America since antivenin was produced in the late 1960s.

 

 

 There have been no known fatalities caused by a Western coral snake. Although their bites are incredibly painful, they have the potential to cause cardiac arrest if left untreated for an extended period of time.

 

 

With their short, fixed fangs and small mouth, coral snakes have a hard time puncturing human flesh — much alone leather boots — and this is especially true for leather boots. 

 

 

Attempting to pick up a coral snake is the most common way in which humans are bit. They may attempt to hang on to their prey for an extended period of time due to the fact that they are little and don’t carry much poison in their fangs.

 

 

According to Viernum, “one of the most distinguishing behavioral aspects of coral snakes is the manner in which they distribute their venom….” The fact that their fangs are short and fixed means they distribute their poison via chewing actions. According to her, this procedure is “akin to the way Gila monsters transport their poison to their victims.”

 

 

 

While the snake’s neurotoxic venom causes quick paralysis and respiratory failure in its victim, the National Institutes of Health reports that it might take several hours for symptoms to manifest themselves in people. 

 

 

Humans who have been bitten by a coral snake often experience little to no pain or edema. Antivenom is necessary to prevent symptoms from occurring if they are not treated immediately. Speech slurring, double vision, and muscle paralysis are some of the symptoms.