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Coral snake
Coral snake.jpg
Coral snake (Micrurus sp.)
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Superfamily: Elapoidea
Family: Elapidae

Coral snakes are a large group of elapid snakes that can be subdivided into two distinct groups, Old World coral snakes and New World coral snakes. There are 16 species of Old World coral snakes in three genera (Calliophis, Hemibungarus, and Sinomicrurus), and over 65 recognized species of New World coral snakes in two genera (Micruroides and Micrurus). Genetic studies have found that the most basal lineages are Asian, indicating that the group originated in the Old World.[1][2]

North American coloration patterns[edit]

Experts now recognize that coloration patterns and common mnemonics such as “red touch yellow, kill a fellow”, which people use to identify the deadly coral snake are occasionally inconsistent. While any snake exhibiting the coral snake's color banding pattern in the southeastern United States will almost certainly in fact be a coral snake, there are coral snakes in other parts of the world which are colored differently.[3]

Coral snakes in the United States are most notable for their red, yellow/white, and black colored banding. However, several nonvenomous species in the United States have similar (though not identical) coloration, including the two scarlet snake species in the genus Cemophora and some of the kingsnakes and milk snakes in the genus Lampropeltis whose banding, however, does not include any red touching any yellow; also, some ground snakes in the genus Sonora in the southwestern United States can have a color banding pattern that matches that of the sympatric Sonoran coral snake (Micruroides euryxanthus). No genuine coral snakes in the United States, however, exhibit red bands of color in contact with bands of black except in rare cases of an aberrant pattern. So, while on extremely rare occasions a certain non-venomous snake might be mistaken for a coral snake, the mnemonic holds true in that a red–yellow–black banded snake in the United States whose red banding is in contact with its black banding is rarely a venomous coral snake; however, the mnemonic does not always hold true for North American coral snake species found south of the United States. Some species, like the Oaxacan coral snake (Micrurus ephippifer) in Mexico and Clark's coral snake (Micrurus clarki) in Costa Rica and Panama, do typically fit the mnemonic, while others, like the saddled coral snake (Micrurus bernadi) in Mexico, Roatan coral snake (Micrurus ruatanus) in Honduras and redtail coral snake (Micrurus mipartitus) in Panama, do not. Similarly, some South American coral snake species do typically fit the mnemonic, while others do not. In contrast, none of the Old World coral snake species typically fit the mnemonic.

Most species of coral snake are small in size. North American species average around 90 cm (3 ft) in length, but specimens of up to 150 cm (5 ft) or slightly larger have been reported. Aquatic species have flattened tails that act as fins, aiding in swimming.

Behavior[edit]

Coral snake showing typically reclusive behavior of hiding under rotting wood. This one was over 75 cm (30 in) long, but less than 25 mm (1 in) across.

Coral snakes vary widely in their behavior, but most are very elusive, fossorial (burrowing) snakes which spend most of their time buried beneath the ground or in the leaf litter of a rainforest floor, coming to the surface only when it rains or during breeding season. Some species, like Micrurus surinamensis, are almost entirely aquatic and spend most of their lives in slow-moving bodies of water that have dense vegetation.

Coral snakes feed mostly on smaller snakes, lizards, frogs, nestling birds, small rodents, etc.

Like all elapid snakes, coral snakes possess a pair of small hollow fangs to deliver their venom. The fangs are positioned at the front of the mouth.[4][5] The fangs are fixed in position rather than retractable, and rather than being directly connected to the venom duct, they have a small groove through which the venom enters the base of the fangs.[6][7] Because the fangs are relatively small and inefficient for venom delivery, rather than biting quickly and letting go (like vipers), coral snakes tend to hold onto their prey and make chewing motions when biting.[6][8] The venom takes time to reach full effect.[7]

Coral snakes are not aggressive or prone to biting and account for less than one percent of the total number of snake bites each year in the United States. The life span of coral snakes in captivity is about seven years.[9]

Distribution (U.S.)[edit]

Eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius)

New World coral snakes exist in the southern range of many temperate U.S. states. Coral snakes are found in scattered localities in the southern coastal plains from North Carolina to Louisiana, including all of Florida. They can be found in pine and scrub oak sandhill habitats in parts of this range, but sometimes inhabit hardwood areas and pine flatwoods that undergo seasonal flooding.[10]

There is controversy about the classification of the very similar Texas coral snake as a separate species. Its habitat, in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas is separated from the eastern coral snake's habitat by the Mississippi River. The coral snake population is most dense in the southeastern United States, but coral snakes have been documented as far north as Kentucky.[11]

The Arizona coral snake is classified as a separate species and genus and is found in central and southern Arizona, extreme southwestern New Mexico and southward to Sinaloa in western Mexico. It occupies arid and semiarid regions in many different habitat types, including thornscrub, desert-scrub, woodland, grassland and farmland. It is found in the plains and lower mountain slopes, at elevations ranging from sea level to 1,800 m (5,800 ft); often found in rocky areas.[12]

Danger to humans[edit]

New World coral snakes possess one of the most potent venoms of any North American snake. However, relatively few bites are recorded due to their reclusive nature and the fact they generally inhabit sparsely populated areas. Even in areas that are densely populated bites are rare. According to the American National Institutes of Health, there are an average of 15–25 coral snake bites in the United States each year.[13] When confronted by humans, coral snakes will almost always attempt to flee, and bite only if restrained. In addition, coral snakes have short fangs (proteroglyph dentition) that cannot penetrate thick clothing although bites are possible through normal thin clothing. Any skin penetration, however, is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

Historically, the venom of the North American Micrurus and Micruroides species was believed to contain powerful neurotoxins which could paralyze the breathing muscles, requiring mechanical or artificial respiration. It was usually reported that there was only mild pain associated with a bite and that respiratory failure could occur within hours. However recent studies on the bites of at least the Texas Coralsnake (Micrurus tener) have shown that these bites rarely require antivenin, don't usually show any systemic respiratory problems and can be intensely painful. [14] Further studies are necessary to see if these clinical features are true of all Micrurus species.

Shortages of coral snake antivenin were previously reported,[15][16][17] but one source states that production has resumed[18] and, as of July 2021, Pfizer indicates that antivenin is available.[19]

Old World[edit]

Genus Calliophis[edit]

Main article: Calliophis

Species in this genus are:

Nota bene: A binomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species was originally described in a different genus.

Genus Hemibungarus[edit]

Main article: Hemibungarus

Species in this genus are:

Genus Sinomicrurus[edit]

Main article: Sinomicrurus

Species in this genus are:

New World[edit]

Genus Micruroides[edit]

Genus Micrurus[edit]

Mimicry[edit]

New World coral snakes serve as models for their Batesian mimics, false coral snakes, snake species whose venom is less toxic, as well as for many nonvenomous snake species that bear superficial resemblances to them. The role of coral snakes as models for Batesian mimics is supported by research showing that coral snake color patterns deter predators from attacking snake-shaped prey,[20][21] and that in the absence of coral snakes, species hypothesized to mimic them are indeed attacked more frequently.[22] Species that appear similar to coral snakes include:

References[edit]

  1. ^ Slowinski, J. B. & Keogh J. S. (April 2000). "Phylogenetic Relationships of Elapid Snakes Based on Cytochrome b mtDNA Sequences". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 15 (1): 157–164. doi:10.1006/mpev.1999.0725. PMID 10764543.
  2. ^ Slowinski, J. B.; Boundy, J. & Lawson, R. (June 2001). "The phylogenetic relationships of Asian coral snakes (Elapidae: Calliophis and Maticora) based on morphological and molecular characters". Herpetologica. 57 (2): 233–245. JSTOR 3893186.
  3. ^ "The Most Common Myths About Coral Snakes | The Venom Interviews". thevenominterviews.com. Archived from the original on 23 November 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  4. ^ Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) Archived 31 August 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Savannah River Ecology Library.
  5. ^ "Coral Snakes: Rear fanged? Grooved fangs? Primitive?". Archived from the original on 1 February 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Eastern Coral Snake". Archived from the original on 9 January 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
  7. ^ a b "Coral Snakes: Micrurus f. fulvius". Archived from the original on 29 September 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  8. ^ Coral Snakes: Colors, Bites, Farts & Facts Archived 24 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Live Science.
  9. ^ "Eastern Coral Snake". Animals national Geographic. 10 September 2010. Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  10. ^ "University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology, Snakes of Georgia and South Carolina". Archived from the original on 12 January 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
  11. ^ "Western Connecticut State University". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
  12. ^ "Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum". Archived from the original on 25 January 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
  13. ^ "Snake bites: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". Nlm.nih.gov. 13 January 2010. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  14. ^ "Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Management of Texas Coral Snake (Micrurus tener) Envenomations Reported to the North American Snakebite Registry".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ "Safety & Availability (Biologics) > Expiration Date Extension for North American Coral Snake Antivenin (Micrurus fulvius) (Equine Origin) Lot 4030026 Through October 31, 2014". Food and Drug Administration. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  16. ^ Breen, David (12 October 2013). "Risk from coral-snake bites grows as antivenin dwindles". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on 24 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  17. ^ "Antivenom Shortages – Cost of Antivenom Production Creates Shortages". Popular Mechanics. 10 May 2010. Archived from the original on 13 May 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  18. ^ Greene, Spencer (9 April 2021). Alcock, Joe (ed.). "What is the treatment for coral snake envenomation?". Medscape. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  19. ^ "Antivenin (Micrurus fulvius equine origin) North American Coral Snake Antivenin". Pfizer Hospital US. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  20. ^ Brodie III, Edmund D (1993). "Differential avoidance of coral snake banded patterns by free-ranging avian predators in Costa Rica". Evolution. 47 (1): 227–235. doi:10.2307/2410131. JSTOR 2410131. PMID 28568087.
  21. ^ Brodie III, Edmund D.; Moore, Allen J. (1995). "Experimental studies of coral snake mimicry: do snakes mimic millipedes?". Animal Behaviour. 49 (2): 534–6. doi:10.1006/anbe.1995.0072. S2CID 14576682.
  22. ^ Pfennig, David W.; Harcombe, William R.; Pfennig, Karin S. (2001). "Frequency-dependent Batesian mimicry". Nature. 410 (6826): 323. Bibcode:2001Natur.410..323P. doi:10.1038/35066628. PMID 11268195. S2CID 205015058.

Further reading[edit]

  • Boulenger, G.A. 1896. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume III., Containing the Colubridæ (Opisthoglyphæ and Proteroglyphæ)... Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, Printers.) London. xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I.- XXV. (Elaps, 28 species, pp. 411–433 + Plate XX.)
  • Roze, J.A. 1996. Coral Snakes of the Americas: Biology, Identification, and Venoms. Krieger. Malabar, Florida. 340 pp. ISBN 978-0894648472.
  • Tanaka G. D., Furtado Md. F. D., Portaro F. C. V., Sant'Anna O. A. & Tambourgi D. V. (2010). "Diversity of Micrurus Snake Species Related to Their Venom Toxic Effects and the Prospective of Antivenom Neutralization". PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 4(3): e622. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0000622
  • Universidad de Costa Rica (2009). El envenenamiento por mordedura de serpiente en Centroamérica ("Snakebite poisonings in Central America"). San José, Costa Rica: Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica. (in Spanish)
source: https://web.archive.org/web/20220212173325/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coral_snake

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