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Coral snake

Steindachner's Coralsnake

Venomous

Micrurus steindachneri

Steindachner's Coralsnake
Micrurus steindachneri, (c) Diego Piñán Egas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Steindachner's CoralsnakeSteindachner's Coralsnake

3 photographs of the Steindachner's Coralsnake. (c) Diego Piñán Egas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

The Steindachner's Coralsnake (Micrurus steindachneri) is a venomous snake in the Elapidae family, recorded in 2 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 Steindachner's Coralsnake

Micrurus steindachneri, also known commonly as the piedmont coral snake and Steindachner's coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to northwestern South America. There are two recognized subspecies.

Geographic distribution

Micrurus steindachneri is found on the eastern slopes of the Andes in Ecuador and extreme northern Peru.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Micrurus steindachneri is forest, at elevations of 500–2,000 m (1,600–6,600 ft).

Behavior

Micrurus steindachneri is terrestrial, fossorial, and diurnal.

Reproduction

Micrurus steindachneri is oviparous.

Subspecies

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

Micrurus steindachneri orcesi Roze, 1967

Micrurus steindachneri steindachneri (F. Werner, 1901)

Etymology

The specific name, steindachneri, is in honor of Viennese herpetologist Franz Steindachner.

The subspecific name, orcesi, is in honor of Ecuadorian herpetologist Gustavo Orcés.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Steindachner's Coralsnake

Is the Steindachner's Coralsnake venomous?
Yes. The Steindachner's Coralsnake (Micrurus steindachneri) 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 Steindachner's Coralsnake poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Steindachner's Coralsnake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Steindachner's 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 Steindachner's Coralsnake live?
The Steindachner's Coralsnake has verified records in 2 countries, including Ecuador, Peru. See the distribution section below for its full range.
How do I identify the Steindachner's Coralsnake?
Rings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.
How big does the Steindachner's Coralsnake get?
Slender, usually 1.5–3 ft.
Why is it called the Steindachner's Coralsnake?
The specific name, steindachneri, is in honor of Viennese herpetologist Franz Steindachner. The subspecific name, orcesi, is in honor of Ecuadorian herpetologist Gustavo Orcés.

If you are bitten by the Steindachner's 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.

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

EcuadorPeru

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 steindachneri

Keep learning

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