Is the Regal Coralsnake venomous?

Yes. The Regal Coralsnake (Micrurus ancoralis) 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 Regal Coralsnake poisonous?

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

Where does the Regal Coralsnake live?

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

How do I identify the Regal Coralsnake?

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

Coral snake

Regal Coralsnake

Venomous

Micrurus ancoralis

The Regal Coralsnake (Micrurus ancoralis) 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 Regal Coralsnake

Micrurus ancoralis, also known commonly as the anchor coral snake and the regal coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to extreme southeastern Central America and adjacent northwestern South America. There are two recognized subspecies.

Description

Dorsally, Micrurus ancoralis has a red head, followed by a black anchor-shaped marking on the neck. The body color pattern consists of black, white, and red rings. The black rings are in triads enclosing white rings, and the triads are separated by red rings.

The ventrals number 248–266 in males and 271–290 in females.

Long and heavy-bodied for its genus, as an adult M. ancoralis is usually 0.90 m (3.0 ft) in total length (tail included), but the maximum recorded total length is 1.486 m (4.88 ft).

Geographic distribution

Micrurus ancoralis is found in southeastern Panama, western Colombia, and western Ecuador.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Micrurus ancoralis is forest, at elevations from sea level to 1,500 m (4,900 ft), but it has also been found in artificial habitats such as banana plantations.

Behavior

Micrurus ancoralis is terrestrial and semifossorial.

Diet

Micrurus ancoralis preys on amphisbaenians, such as Amphisbaena fuliginosa, and small snakes, such as Ninia atrata.

Reproduction

Micrurus ancoralis is oviparous.

Subspecies

Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.

Micrurus ancoralis ancoralis (Jan, 1872)

Micrurus ancoralis jani Schmidt, 1936

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

Etymology

The subspecific name, jani, is in honor of Italian herpetologist Giorgio Jan.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Regal Coralsnake

Is the Regal Coralsnake venomous?: Yes. The Regal Coralsnake (Micrurus ancoralis) 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 Regal Coralsnake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Regal Coralsnake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Regal 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 Regal Coralsnake live?: The Regal Coralsnake has verified records in 3 countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, Panama. See the distribution section below for its full range.
How do I identify the Regal Coralsnake?: Rings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.
How big does the Regal Coralsnake get?: Slender, usually 1.5–3 ft.
What does the Regal Coralsnake eat?: Micrurus ancoralis preys on amphisbaenians, such as Amphisbaena fuliginosa, and small snakes, such as Ninia atrata.
Why is it called the Regal Coralsnake?: The subspecific name, jani, is in honor of Italian herpetologist Giorgio Jan.

If you are bitten by the Regal 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

Colombia Ecuador Panama

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 ancoralis

Keep learning

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