Is the Brown's Coralsnake venomous?

Yes. The Brown's Coralsnake (Micrurus browni) is venomous and belongs to the Elapidae family (coral snake). Its bite is considered high (delayed) risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.

Is the Brown's Coralsnake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Brown's Coralsnake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.

Where does the Brown's Coralsnake live?

The Brown's Coralsnake has verified records in 3 countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras. See the distribution section below for its full range.

How do I identify the Brown's Coralsnake?

Rings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.

Coral snake

Brown's Coralsnake

Venomous

Micrurus browni

Brown's Coralsnake — Micrurus browni, © Javier Hernandez

3 photographs of the Brown's Coralsnake. © Javier Hernandez.

The Brown's Coralsnake (Micrurus browni) is a venomous snake in the Elapidae family, recorded in 3 countries.

If you are bitten

Coral snake venom is neurotoxic and symptoms can be delayed for many hours. Treat any suspected coral snake bite as a medical emergency and go to an emergency room even if you feel fine — antivenom may be needed. Keep calm and still. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or 911 in the US, or your local emergency number. (Source: CDC.)

Also called: Coral snake
Family: Elapidae
Size: Slender, usually 1.5–3 ft.
Habitat: Pine and hardwood forests with sandy, well-drained soils.
Behavior: Secretive and semi-burrowing; reluctant to bite but venom is neurotoxic.
Identify: Rings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.
Danger: high (delayed)

About the Brown's Coralsnake

Micrurus browni, commonly known as Brown's coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Guatemala and southwestern Mexico. There are three recognized subspecies, including the nominate subspecies described here.

Etymology

The specific name, browni, is in honor of American scientific collector Wilmot W. Brown Jr.

Spanish common names

Common names for Micrurus browni in Spanish include serpiente-coralillo de Brown, coral, coral de Acapulco, coral de Antigua, coral (or coralillo) de canutos, and vibora de coral.

Description

Brown's coral snake can grow to 100 cm (39 in) in total length (tail included), but it is usually 50 cm (20 in) to 70 cm (28 in). It has smooth dorsal scales, a rounded head, and eyes with round pupils. Its color pattern is three-colored: broad red rings, separated by 10–27 black rings, each black ring bordered by two narrow yellow bands. The snout is black. There is usually a yellow band, across the top of the head, halfway back.

Geographic range

The geographic distribution of Micrurus browni is limited to Quintana Roo in southwestern Mexico, and western Guatemala, including Sacatepéquez. Previous reports for Honduras have been found to be incorrect.

Habitat

Micrurus browni is mainly found in tropical deciduous forest, pine-oak forest, and cloud forest at elevations ranging from sea level up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).

Behavior

Although little is known about the behavior of Micrurus browni, like most other coral snakes it may be nocturnal, terrestrial and probably dwells in burrows, leaf litter, or under logs. While usually not aggressive, it will bite when molested or restrained.

Diet

Micrurus browni preys on invertebrates, amphibians, small lizards, and other snakes.

Reproduction

Like other members of the genus Micrurus, M. browni is oviparous and may lay a maximum of 15 eggs per clutch.

Venom

Little is known about the effects of the venom of Micrurus browni. It may contain a neurotoxin, which can cause neuromuscular dysfunction, as is the case with the venom of other coral snakes.

Subspecies

The following three subspecies of Micrurus browni are recognized as being valid.

Micrurus browni browni Schmidt & H.M. Smith, 1943

Micrurus browni importunus Roze, 1967

Micrurus browni taylori Schmidt & H.M. Smith, 1943

The subspecific name, taylori, is in honor of American herpetologist Edward Harrison Taylor.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Brown's Coralsnake

Is the Brown's Coralsnake venomous?: Yes. The Brown's Coralsnake (Micrurus browni) is venomous and belongs to the Elapidae family (coral snake). Its bite is considered high (delayed) risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
Is the Brown's Coralsnake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Brown's Coralsnake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Brown's Coralsnake dangerous?: Coral snake venom is neurotoxic and symptoms can be delayed for many hours. Treat any suspected coral snake bite as a medical emergency and go to an emergency room even if you feel fine — antivenom may be needed. Keep calm and still. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or 911 in the US, or your local emergency number. (Source: CDC.)
Where does the Brown's Coralsnake live?: The Brown's Coralsnake has verified records in 3 countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras. See the distribution section below for its full range.
How do I identify the Brown's Coralsnake?: Rings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.
How big does the Brown's Coralsnake get?: Slender, usually 1.5–3 ft.
What does the Brown's Coralsnake eat?: Micrurus browni preys on invertebrates, amphibians, small lizards, and other snakes.
Why is it called the Brown's Coralsnake?: The specific name, browni, is in honor of American scientific collector Wilmot W. Brown Jr.

If you are bitten by the Brown's Coralsnake

A venomous snakebite is a medical emergency. Call your local emergency number immediately. In the US, dial 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Get away from the snake and stay calm. Most bites worsen when people panic or try again to handle the snake.
Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) right away. Antivenom works best when given early.
Note the time of the bite and, from a safe distance, the snake's color and pattern, a phone photo is enough. Do not chase it.
Keep the bitten limb still and at roughly heart level. Sit or lie down and limit movement.
Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
Gently wash the bite with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.

Do not

Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom.
Do not apply a tourniquet or ice.
Do not drink alcohol or caffeine.
Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, they can worsen bleeding. Acetaminophen is safer for pain.
Do not try to catch or kill the snake. A dead snake can still bite by reflex.

First-aid guidance adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC NIOSH), Venomous Snakes. Educational only; always follow the instructions of emergency responders.

Where it is found

Mexico Guatemala Honduras

More Elapidae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards: Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits: Elapidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Micrurus
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Micrurus browni

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.