Coral snakes are venomous serpents recognized by their distinctive coloration. Their potent venom makes public awareness important, though encounters are uncommon due to their reclusive nature. Their vibrant patterns serve as a warning in natural environments.
Geographical Range and Preferred Habitats
Coral snakes inhabit various regions across the Americas, spanning from the southern United States through Central America and into parts of South America. There are two main groups: Old World coral snakes found in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, and New World coral snakes found in North, Central, and South America. The New World species account for the largest variety, with over 80 recognized species.
In the United States, three species are commonly found: the Eastern Coral Snake, the Texas Coral Snake, and the Arizona Coral Snake. The Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) is primarily found in the southeastern U.S., extending from southeastern North Carolina down through Florida and westward to Louisiana. These snakes prefer habitats with well-drained, sandy soil, such as pine and scrub oak sandhills, pine flatwoods, and scrublands. They may also inhabit hardwood areas and coastal plains, often seeking refuge in animal burrows, especially gopher tortoise burrows, or under rotten logs and leaf litter.
The Arizona Coral Snake (Micruroides euryxanthus) is found in central and southern Arizona, extreme southwestern New Mexico, and southward into western Mexico. This species occupies arid and semi-arid regions, including thornscrub, desert-scrub, woodlands, grasslands, and farmlands, often in rocky areas on plains and lower mountain slopes. These snakes are fossorial, spending much of their time burrowed underground or hidden within leaf litter, emerging more frequently after rain or during breeding season.
Identifying Coral Snakes
Identifying coral snakes accurately is important due to the presence of several harmless mimics. These snakes are characterized by their distinctive banding pattern of red, yellow (or white), and black rings that completely encircle their bodies. The order of these bands is a primary identifier, particularly in the United States.
A common mnemonic rhyme used for identification in the U.S. is “Red on yellow, kill a fellow; Red on black, venom lack.” This rhyme indicates that if red bands touch yellow bands, the snake is venomous, while if red bands touch black bands, it is a non-venomous mimic. However, this rhyme is not universally accurate, especially outside of North America, and some non-venomous mimics can have similar patterns.
Harmless look-alikes often confused with coral snakes include the Scarlet Kingsnake and the Milk Snake. These mimics typically have red bands touching black bands, and their snouts are usually red, unlike the coral snake’s black snout. Coral snakes also possess a small, blunt head that is not much wider than their neck, and their scales are smooth and shiny. Coral snakes have small, fixed fangs in the front of their mouths to deliver neurotoxic venom.