eastern coral snake
Quick Summary
The eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius) is a small, venomous snake belonging to the cobra family, Elapidae. It is found in the southeastern United States and is known for its bright banding pattern of red, black, and yellow rings. These snakes possess short, hollow fangs that deliver a potent neurotoxic venom.12
Coral snakes are secretive and primarily prey on other snakes, such as worm snakes and blind snakes, with lizards being a secondary food source. They lay eggs, and their venom is potent, though they are not aggressive unless provoked.1
It is important to distinguish true coral snakes from their mimics, such as the scarlet snake and scarlet king snake, which share similar habitats and coloration but are harmless. While rhymes exist to help differentiate them in the U.S., they are not universally reliable.13
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