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The Coral Snake
Coral snakes are a large group of elapid snakes that can be subdivided into two distinct groups, Old World and New World. There are 11 species of Old World coral snakes in one genus (Calliophis), and over 65 recognized species of New World coral snakes in three genera (Leptomicrurus, Micruroides, and Micrurus).
Coral snakes are most notable for their red, yellow/white, and black coloured banding. (However, several non-venomous species have similar colouration, including the scarlet snake, genus Cemophora, some of the king snakes and milk snakes, genus Lampropeltis, and the shovel nose snakes, genus Chionactis.)
In some regions, the order of the bands distinguishes between the non-venomous mimics and the venomous coral snakes, inspiring some folk rhymes — “Red on yellow, poison fellow; red on black, safe from attack.” “Red on yellow, kill a fellow; Red on black, friend of Jack” (or “friendly jack”); “Red into black, venom lack; red into yellow, kill a fellow,”; and “Red with yellow, you’re a dead fellow. Red with black, you’re a lucky jack.”
However, this reliably applies only to coral snakes native to North America: Micrurus fulvius (Eastern or common coral snake), Micrurus tener (Texas coral snake), and Micruroides euryxanthus (Arizona coral snake), found in the southern and western United States.
Coral snakes found in other parts of the world can have distinctly different patterns, have red bands touching black bands, have only pink and blue banding, or have no banding at all.
Most species of coral snake are small in size. North American species average around 3 feet (91 cm) in length, but specimens of up to 5 feet (150 cm) or slightly larger have been reported. Aquatic species have flattened tails acting as a fin, aiding in swimming.
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 plain 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.
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. According to the American National Institutes of Health, there is an average of 15–25 coral snake bites in the United States each year.
When confronted by humans, coral snakes will almost always attempt to flee, and bite only as a last resort. In addition, coral snakes have short fangs (proteroglyph dentition) that cannot penetrate thick leather clothing. Any skin penetration however, is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
Coral snakes have a powerful neurotoxin that paralyzes the breathing muscles; mechanical or artificial respiration, along with large doses of anti-venom, are often required to save a victim’s life. There is usually only mild pain associated with a bite, but respiratory failure can occur within hours.
The bite of a coral snake may soon be more dangerous, in part because bites are so uncommon. Production of coral snake anti-venom in the United States has ceased because it is not profitable. According to Pfizer, the owner of the company that used to make Coralmyn, it would take over $5–$10 million to put toward researching a new synthetic anti-venom. The cost was too large for the small number of cases presented each year.
(Source: Wikipedia – The Free Online Encyclopedia)
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