Is the Kellogg's Coral Snake venomous?

Yes. The Kellogg's Coral Snake (Sinomicrurus kelloggi) is venomous and belongs to the Elapidae family (cobra, mamba, coral or sea snake). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.

Is the Kellogg's Coral Snake poisonous?

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

Where does the Kellogg's Coral Snake live?

The Kellogg's Coral Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including China, Viet Nam, Thailand. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Elapidae

Kellogg's Coral Snake

Venomous

Sinomicrurus kelloggi

Kellogg's Coral Snake — Sinomicrurus kelloggi, (c) haifeng Tang, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

3 photographs of the Kellogg's Coral Snake. (c) haifeng Tang, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

The Kellogg's Coral Snake (Sinomicrurus kelloggi) is a venomous snake in the Elapidae family, recorded in 3 countries.

If you are bitten

This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.

Family: Elapidae
Danger: high

About the Kellogg's Coral Snake

Sinomicrurus kelloggi, also known commonly as Kellog's coral snake or Kellogg's coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Southeast Asia.

Etymology

The specific name, kelloggi, is in honor of Claude Rupert Kellogg who was a zoologist and Christian missionary in China.

Geographic range

S. kelloggi is found in Vietnam, northern Laos, and southern China.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of S. kelloggi is forest, at altitudes of 300–1,128 m (984–3,701 ft).

Description

The holotype of S. kelloggi measures 774 mm (30.5 in), of which 70 mm (2.8 in) consist of the tail. This species has a black head, which has a white V-shaped spot. The dorsum is purple-brown with 22 black transverse markings with light rims. The venter is milky white with 49 black marks of variable size.

Behavior

S. kelloggi is terrestrial and nocturnal.

Diet

S. kelloggi preys upon small lizards and small snakes.

Reproduction

S. kelloggi is oviparous.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Kellogg's Coral Snake

Is the Kellogg's Coral Snake venomous?: Yes. The Kellogg's Coral Snake (Sinomicrurus kelloggi) is venomous and belongs to the Elapidae family (cobra, mamba, coral or sea snake). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
Is the Kellogg's Coral Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Kellogg's Coral Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Kellogg's Coral Snake dangerous?: This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.
Where does the Kellogg's Coral Snake live?: The Kellogg's Coral Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including China, Viet Nam, Thailand. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Kellogg's Coral Snake eat?: S. kelloggi preys upon small lizards and small snakes.
Why is it called the Kellogg's Coral Snake?: The specific name, kelloggi, is in honor of Claude Rupert Kellogg who was a zoologist and Christian missionary in China.

If you are bitten by the Kellogg's Coral Snake

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

China Viet Nam Thailand

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: Sinomicrurus
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Sinomicrurus kelloggi

Keep learning

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