Micrurus fulvius
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Common names: eastern coral snake,[2] American cobra, candy stick, common coral snake,[3] more.
Micrurus fulvius is a venomous elapid species found only in the southeastern United States. Not to be confused with its harmless mimics, the scarlet snake (Cemophora coccinae) and the scarlet kingsnake (Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides).[2] No subspecies are currently recognized.[4]
The eastern coral snake's venom is a neurotoxin that is quite capable of causing death if injected into a person's body in a large enough dose, but in nature, this is extremely unlikely to occur. This snake does not have the sharp fangs of vipers that so closely resemble hypodermic needles, but instead has grooved teeth that are relatively small and blunt. Venom drips down the back of the teeth instead of being injected through them. Fatal bites from this species have occured, but generally as the result of purposeful handling of the snake.
Description
Usually less than 80 cm in length, with maximum reported lengths of 121.8 cm for a specimen in Florida (Neill, 1958) and 129.5 cm (Roze, 1996). Males have longer tails than females, but females reach a greater total length.[1]
The dorsal scales are smooth in 15 rows.[2] The ventral scales number 197-217 in males and 219-233 in females. There are 40-47 subcaudals in males and 30-37 in females.[1] The anal plate is divided.[2]
The color pattern consists of a series of rings that encircle the body: wide red and black rings separated by narrow yellow rings (red rings lie adjacent to yellow ones, in harmless mimics, red rings lay adjacent to black ones). The head is black from the rostral to just behind the eyes. The red rings are usually speckled with black.[2]
Common names
Eastern coral snake,[2] American cobra, candy stick, common coral snake, coral adder, Elaps harlequin snake, Florida coral snake, garter snake, harlequin coral snake, king snake, North American coral snake, red bead snake, thunder-and-lightning snake,[3] candy-stick snake, eastern coralsnake, Florida coralsnake, harlequin coralsnake,[1] serpiente-coralillo arlequín (Spanish).[4]
Geographic range
Southeastern United States. Southeastern North Carolina south through South Carolina and peninsular Florida, and westward through southern Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi to southeastern Louisiana. May be found at altitudes of near sea level to approximately 400 m.[1]
Distinguishing features within geographic range
In areas where both the Eastern coral snake and species of its harmless mimic live, a simple rhyme is often helpful to the person in the field: "Red and yellow - kills a fellow, red and black - venom lacks". There are variations of this rhyme, which have been traditionally taught to local children (as well as visiting field biologists and reptile enthusiasts). The basis for the mnemonic is the fact that, in this particular region of the world, all of the nonvenomous mimics of Micruris fulvius have black bands separating the red and yellow bands. Since this snake is highly venomous, but generally dangerous to the person who handles it, rather than simply passes by, it is important to be able to easily identify it in the field. Many herpetologists have emphasized simple rules for identifying this snake to those who might be tempted to catch it for a closer look. Roger Conant has advised, "think of a traffic stop; red means stop, yellow means caution. If these two warning colors touch on the snakes body, it is poisonous".[5] Although this is useful advice in context, it only applies to the United States. There are venomous species elsewhere in which red and black bands do touch.
Habitat
Occurs in upland mesophytic and tropical hammocks in Florida, as well as glade land, high pine, scrub oak and live oak hammock, slash pine and wiregrass flatwoods. In southern Georgia and Florida it is found in dry areas with open ground that are bushy but not heavily vegetated. Associated with sandy ridges in Mississippi and sandy creek bottoms in Louisiana.[1]
Feeding
Small snakes and lizards.[2]
Reproduction
It is reported that they lay 3-12 eggs in June that hatch in September. Neonates are 18-23 cm in length.[2]
Venom
Only two documented fatalities were attributed to this species in the 1950s and none have been reported since Wyeth antivenin became available for it in the 1960s. It does not account for many cases of snakebite in the US because of its secretive nature and general reluctance to bite (its venomous potential was still being debated in the 1880s). In addition, it is estimated that envenomation occurs in only 40% of all bites. Historically, however, the mortality rate was estimated to be about 10-20%, with death occurring in as little as 1-2 hours, or as much as 26 hours post bite. This is not that surprising, since the LD100 for humans is estimated to be 4-5 mg or dried venom, while the average venom yield is 2-6 mg with a maximum of more than 12 mg. This is probably why it is currently standard hospital procedure in the US to start with antivenin therapy for coral snake bites even if there are no symptoms yet (since there may not be any noticeable localized symptoms).[1]
Cited references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Behler JL, King FW. 1979. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 743 pp. LCCCN 79-2217. ISBN 0-394-50824-6.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Wright AH, Wright AA. 1957. Handbook of Snakes. Comstock Publishing Associates. (7th printing, 1985). 1105 pp. ISBN 0-8014-0463-0.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Micrurus fulvius (TSN 174354). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 12 December 2006.
- ↑ Conant R. 1975. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. Second Edition. Houghton Miflin Company, Boston. page 225.
Other references
- Neill WT. 1958. The occurrence of amphibians and reptiles in saltwater areas, and a bibliography. Bulletin of Marine Science of the Gulf and Caribbean. 8(1):1-97.
- Roze JA. 1996. Coral Snakes of the Americas: Bibliography, Identification and Venoms. Krieger, Malabar, Florida. ISBN 978-0894648472. 340 pp.
External links
- Eastern Coral Snake at Herpetology, Florida Museum of Natural History. Accessed 20 December 2006.
- Eastern Coral Snake, Micrurus fulvius at Georgia Museum of Natural History. Accessed 20 December 2006.
- Coral Snake Micrurus fulvius at [Davidson College, Biology Department]. Accessed 20 December 2006.
- Eastern Coral Snake at Yale Herpetology Page. Accessed 20 December 2006.
- Eastern Coral Snake Micrurus fulvius at Snakes of South Carolina and Georgia. Accessed 20 December 2006.