Micrurus fulvius

Eastern Coral Snake

VENOMOUS

Florida Distribution: entire state.

Identification: Up to 1.2 m. Black nose, red bands touch yellow bands. Not an aggressive striker, but will strike if molested. Contrary to common belief it need not chew to inject venom. It does have a small mouth, when compared to the vipers, but if its fangs find purchase and manage to inject its neurotoxic venom, you will regret it. Most bites occur when humans are handling them. If left alone they prefer to avoid humans and are only dangerous to the lizards and small snakes that they feed on.

VENOMOUS

A few years ago I got a call from the local hospital that they had a man, with a possible Coral Snake bite. They had the snake, as the "victim's" family had the foresight to put it in a jar and bring it along, and they wanted me to come in. I thought they wanted help in verifying that it was a Coral, which I found odd, as it is an easily identifiable snake. But, what they wanted was for me to take it somewhere to release. Which was nice that neither the family nor the hospital staff killed the snake in a fit of fear. The story it turned out was this. There was a barbecue, a group of people (audience), and yes alcohol. The "victim" saw the snake and picked it up to show everyone else. Like one joke says "What are the most common last words rednecks say?". "Hey, watch this". The snake decided when it had had enough and bit the man on a finger. Both the snake and the man got a visit to the hospital, only the snake didn't have to stay as long.

Hunting in leaf litter.

The black nose and red on yellow color pattern, differentiates this from the mimics.

Close up.