Eastern Coral Snake
Micrurus fulvius • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Elapidae, Subfamily: Elapinae, Genus: Micrurus, Species: M. fulvius
Southeastern United States, from southeastern North Carolina south through Florida and west to the Mississippi River (Louisiana and potentially parts of Arkansas).
Look up Eastern Coral Snake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Highly Venomous; Proteroglyphous (fixed front fangs)
Danger Level
Extremely Dangerous; though generally reclusive and non-aggressive, their venom is life-threatening. Handling as seen in the image is highly discouraged and life-risking.
Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Elapidae, Subfamily: Elapinae, Genus: Micrurus, Species: M. fulvius
Conservation
IUCN Least Concern, but populations face threats from habitat loss (especially in pine silviculture) and road mortality.
Physical Description
Characterized by ringed pattern of red, yellow, and black. Key diagnostic: 'Red touches yellow, kill a fellow.' The head is blunt and black from the snout to just behind the eyes, followed by a wide yellow band. Scales are smooth and glossy.
Size & Dimensions
Typically 51–76 cm (20–30 inches), with a maximum of around 121 cm (47 inches). The specimen in the image appears to be a mid-sized adult.
Habitat
Upland pine forests, scrub oak areas, sandy ridges, and hammock borders; often found in microhabitats such as leaf litter, log piles, or underground burrows.
Behavior & Temperament
Secretive and fossorial (spends much time underground). When threatened, they may curl their tail or 'thump' it to distract predators from the head. Generally docile but will bite if handled or stepped on.
Diet & Feeding
Specialized carnivore feeding primarily on other snakes (ophiophagy) and small lizards. They hunt via active foraging and use neurotoxic venom to immobilize prey.
Reproduction
Oviparous; females lay 3–12 eggs in early summer, which hatch in late summer or autumn. Hatchlings are born fully venomous and pattern-identical to adults.
Venom Profile
Potent neurotoxic venom that affects the nervous system, potentially leading to respiratory failure. Localized pain or swelling is often minimal.
Look-alikes
Scarlet Kingsnake (Lampropeltis elapsoides) and Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea), both of which have 'Red touches black' patterns. 'Red on yellow, kill a fellow; Red on black, friend of Jack.'
Conservation Status
IUCN Least Concern, but populations face threats from habitat loss (especially in pine silviculture) and road mortality.
Cultural Significance
Famous as one of North America's few elapids. It plays a critical role in controlling populations of other reptiles and is a primary subject of Batesian mimicry education in the US.
Notable Features
Unlike pit vipers, they lack heat-sensing pits and have round pupils. Their neurotoxic bite often has a delayed symptomatic onset, which can lead to a false sense of security followed by sudden respiratory distress.