Is the Oaxacan Coralsnake venomous?

Yes. The Oaxacan Coralsnake (Micrurus ephippifer) 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 Oaxacan Coralsnake poisonous?

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

How do I identify the Oaxacan Coralsnake?

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

Coral snake

Oaxacan Coralsnake

Venomous

Micrurus ephippifer

Oaxacan Coralsnake — Micrurus ephippifer, (c) Casa Benita, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

4 photographs of the Oaxacan Coralsnake. (c) Casa Benita, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA).

The Oaxacan Coralsnake (Micrurus ephippifer) is a venomous snake in the Elapidae family.

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 Oaxacan Coralsnake

The Oaxacan coral snake (Micrurus ephippifer) is a species of elapid snake, endemic to Mexico. There are two recognized subspecies.

Distribution and habitat

M. ephippifer occurs in tropical deciduous forest and pine-oak forest from near sea level to over 2,300 m asl on the Pacific versant of Oaxaca, from Central Oaxaca to the lowlands and foothills of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.

Subspecies

There are currently two recognized subspecies:

Micrurus ephippifer ephippifer (Cope, 1886)

Micrurus ephippifer zapotectus Roze, 1989

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Oaxacan Coralsnake

Is the Oaxacan Coralsnake venomous?: Yes. The Oaxacan Coralsnake (Micrurus ephippifer) 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 Oaxacan Coralsnake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Oaxacan Coralsnake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Oaxacan 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.)
How do I identify the Oaxacan Coralsnake?: Rings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.
How big does the Oaxacan Coralsnake get?: Slender, usually 1.5–3 ft.

If you are bitten by the Oaxacan 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.

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 ephippifer

Keep learning

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