Coral snake
Ribbon Coralsnake
VenomousMicrurus lemniscatus
The Ribbon Coralsnake (Micrurus lemniscatus) is a venomous snake in the Elapidae family, recorded in 14 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 Ribbon Coralsnake
Micrurus lemniscatus, commonly known as the South American coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to South America.
Description
Micrurus lemniscatus is a thin and brightly colored species. Adults usually measure 60–90 cm (24–35 in) in length, and the maximum reported is 145 cm (57 in). The snout is black, followed by a narrow white crossband in front of the eyes, then a wider black band including the eyes. The eyes are small, and the rest of the head is red. The body pattern consists of slightly broad red rings that are separated by seven to 17 triads of three black and two white rings. The tail has two triads.
Behavior
Like many coral snakes, Micrurus lemniscatus is nocturnal and terrestrial, digging in loose soil or litter. It is not aggressive towards humans, although it can attack to defend itself.
Reproduction
Breeding of Micrurus lemniscatus is oviparous, having a clutch size of possibly 20 eggs.
Diet
Alimentation of Micrurus lemniscatus is mainly long-bodied vertebrates such as freshwater eels, gymnotiform fishes, caecilians, lizards, and snakes.
Geographic range
Micrurus lemniscatus is found in Argentina, northern Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, eastern Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, eastern Peru, Suriname, Trinidad, and Venezuela.
Habitat
Micrurus lemniscatus is a widespread species in South America, living in humid forests and lowland forests, in open savannas and gallery forests. It is also found in lowland floodplains, deforested areas or near human habitation, in humid areas or near places with a water source. It occurs from near sea level to an altitude of 1,000 m (3,300 ft).
Venom
The venom of Micrurus lemniscatus is a potent post- and pre-synaptic neurotoxin, which causes a potent and irreversible neuromuscular block in vertebrates. Lemnitoxin, a potent myotoxic PLA2 type toxin, isolated from the venom of M. lemniscatus induces local and systemic myotoxicity after intramuscular and intravenous injection in mice, which is antigenically related to Micrurus nigrocinctus nigroxin, Notechis scutatus notexin, mulgotoxin of Pseudechis australis and textilotoxin of Pseudonaja textilis.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Ribbon Coralsnake
- Is the Ribbon Coralsnake venomous?
- Yes. The Ribbon Coralsnake (Micrurus lemniscatus) 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 Ribbon Coralsnake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Ribbon Coralsnake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
- Is the Ribbon 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 Ribbon Coralsnake live?
- The Ribbon Coralsnake has verified records in 14 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Ribbon Coralsnake?
- Rings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.
- How big does the Ribbon Coralsnake get?
- Slender, usually 1.5–3 ft.
- What does the Ribbon Coralsnake eat?
- Alimentation of Micrurus lemniscatus is mainly long-bodied vertebrates such as freshwater eels, gymnotiform fishes, caecilians, lizards, and snakes.
If you are bitten by the Ribbon Coralsnake
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
More Elapidae snakes
Texas CoralsnakeMicrurus tener
Eastern CoralsnakeMicrurus fulvius
Central American CoralsnakeMicrurus nigrocinctus
Variable CoralsnakeMicrurus diastema
Painted CoralsnakeMicrurus corallinus
Redtail CoralsnakeMicrurus mipartitus
Costa Rican CoralsnakeMicrurus mosquitensis
Aquatic CoralsnakeMicrurus surinamensis
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
Keep learning
- Are Snakes Dangerous? The Real Risk, in PerspectiveMost snakes are harmless and avoid people. Here is the honest picture of snakebite risk worldwide and how to lower your own.
- Snakebite First Aid: What to Do (and What Never to Do)A clear, CDC-based guide to snakebite first aid: the steps that help, the popular myths that hurt, and how to tell a serious bite from a minor one.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.