Is the Ornate Coralsnake venomous?

Yes. The Ornate Coralsnake (Micrurus ornatissimus) 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 Ornate Coralsnake poisonous?

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

Where does the Ornate Coralsnake live?

The Ornate Coralsnake has verified records in 3 countries, including Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil. See the distribution section below for its full range.

How do I identify the Ornate Coralsnake?

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

Coral snake

Ornate Coralsnake

Venomous

Micrurus ornatissimus

Ornate Coralsnake — Micrurus ornatissimus, © Benjamin Hidalgo

4 photographs of the Ornate Coralsnake. © Benjamin Hidalgo.

The Ornate Coralsnake (Micrurus ornatissimus) 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 Ornate Coralsnake

Micrurus ornatissimus, the ornate coral snake, is a species of coral snake in the family Elapidae. Specimens have been identified in the Andean regions of Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru. "Ornatissimus" is Latin for "very ornate".

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Ornate Coralsnake

Is the Ornate Coralsnake venomous?: Yes. The Ornate Coralsnake (Micrurus ornatissimus) 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 Ornate Coralsnake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Ornate Coralsnake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Ornate 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 Ornate Coralsnake live?: The Ornate Coralsnake has verified records in 3 countries, including Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil. See the distribution section below for its full range.
How do I identify the Ornate Coralsnake?: Rings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.
How big does the Ornate Coralsnake get?: Slender, usually 1.5–3 ft.

If you are bitten by the Ornate 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

Ecuador Colombia Brazil

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 ornatissimus

Keep learning

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