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Coral snake

Hemprich's Coralsnake

Venomous

Micrurus hemprichii

Hemprich's Coralsnake
Micrurus hemprichii, © François Dunoyer
Hemprich's CoralsnakeHemprich's CoralsnakeHemprich's CoralsnakeHemprich's CoralsnakeHemprich's Coralsnake

6 photographs of the Hemprich's Coralsnake. © François Dunoyer.

The Hemprich's Coralsnake (Micrurus hemprichii) is a venomous snake in the Elapidae family, recorded in 8 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 Hemprich's Coralsnake

Micrurus hemprichii, commonly known as Hemprich's coral snake, Orange-banded coral snake and the worm-eating coral snake, is a species of venomous coral snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to South America.

Etymology

The specific name, hemprichii, is in honor of German naturalist Wilhelm Friedrich Hemprich.

Habitat

Hemprich's coral snake occurs in forests at elevations below 1,000 m (3,300 ft), including lower montane wet forest, gallery forest, and primary and secondary rain forest. It is a cryptic species living in leaf litter of the forest floor.

Diet

Hemprich's coral snake feeds heavily on velvet worms, but also on small snakes and amphisbaenids.

Geographic range

M. hemprichii is found in the upper Amazon Basin, Guiana Highlands, and upper Orinoco Basin in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana,Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.

Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognized as being valid.

Micrurus hemprichii hemprichii (Jan, 1858)

Micrurus hemprichii ortoni Schmidt, 1953

Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Micrurus.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Hemprich's Coralsnake

Is the Hemprich's Coralsnake venomous?
Yes. The Hemprich's Coralsnake (Micrurus hemprichii) 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 Hemprich's Coralsnake poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Hemprich's Coralsnake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Hemprich'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 Hemprich's Coralsnake live?
The Hemprich's Coralsnake has verified records in 8 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana. See the distribution section below for its full range.
How do I identify the Hemprich's Coralsnake?
Rings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.
How big does the Hemprich's Coralsnake get?
Slender, usually 1.5–3 ft.
What does the Hemprich's Coralsnake eat?
Hemprich's coral snake feeds heavily on velvet worms, but also on small snakes and amphisbaenids.
Why is it called the Hemprich's Coralsnake?
The specific name, hemprichii, is in honor of German naturalist Wilhelm Friedrich Hemprich.

If you are bitten by the Hemprich'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.

Do

  • 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

BrazilColombiaFrench GuianaPeruEcuadorSurinameGuyanaVenezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

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 hemprichii

Keep learning

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