Coral snake
Sonoran Coralsnake
VenomousMicruroides euryxanthus
6 photographs of the Sonoran Coralsnake. © Archer Silverman.
The Sonoran Coralsnake (Micruroides euryxanthus) 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
- Small and slender, 1–2 ft.
- Habitat
- Arid and semi-arid rocky desert and grassland.
- Behavior
- Secretive, burrowing, and rarely encountered; neurotoxic venom.
- Identify
- Red, yellow (whitish), and black rings with red touching yellow; blunt black snout.
- Danger
- high (delayed)
About the Sonoran Coralsnake
Micruroides is a genus of venomous coral snake in the family Elapidae. The genus is monotypic, containing only the species Micruroides euryxanthus.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Sonoran Coralsnake
- Is the Sonoran Coralsnake venomous?
- Yes. The Sonoran Coralsnake (Micruroides euryxanthus) 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 Sonoran Coralsnake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Sonoran Coralsnake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
- Is the Sonoran 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 Sonoran Coralsnake live?
- The Sonoran Coralsnake has verified records in 3 countries, including United States of America, Mexico, Costa Rica. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Sonoran Coralsnake?
- Red, yellow (whitish), and black rings with red touching yellow; blunt black snout.
- How big does the Sonoran Coralsnake get?
- Small and slender, 1–2 ft.
If you are bitten by the Sonoran 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
By U.S. state
Snakes it is confused with
Eastern MilksnakeHarmlessThe venomous US coral snake has red bands touching yellow ('red touches yellow, kill a fellow') — but this rhyme works ONLY for coral snakes native to the United States, so never judge a coral snake by color outside the US.
Sonoran Coralsnake vs Eastern Milksnake→
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
- Micruroides
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Micruroides euryxanthus
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.