Is the Variable Coralsnake venomous?

Yes. The Variable Coralsnake (Micrurus diastema) 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 Variable Coralsnake poisonous?

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

Where does the Variable Coralsnake live?

The Variable Coralsnake has verified records in 4 countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Belize. See the distribution section below for its full range.

How do I identify the Variable Coralsnake?

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

Coral snake

Variable Coralsnake

Venomous

Micrurus diastema

Variable Coralsnake — Micrurus diastema, © Zygy

6 photographs of the Variable Coralsnake. © Zygy.

The Variable Coralsnake (Micrurus diastema) is a venomous snake in the Elapidae family, recorded in 4 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 Variable Coralsnake

Micrurus diastema, commonly known as the diastema coral snake, the variable coral snake, and coral diastema in Spanish, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to southeastern Mexico and northern Central America. There are seven recognized subspecies.

Geographic distribution

Micrurus diastema occurs in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and southeastern Mexico.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Micrurus diastema is tropical wet, moist, and dry forest from near sea level to 1,250 m (4,100 ft), but it tolerates habitat disturbance and is also found in agricultural areas.

Behavior

Micrurus diastema is terrestrial.

Reproduction

Micrurus diastema is oviparous.

Subspecies

There are seven subspecies which are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.

Micrurus diastema affinis (Jan, 1858)

Micrurus diastema aglaeope (Cope, 1860)

Micrurus diastema alienus (F. Werner, 1903)

Micrurus diastema apiatus (Jan, 1858)

Micrurus diastema diastema (A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854)

Micrurus diastema macdougalli Roze, 1967

Micrurus diastema sapperi (F. Werner, 1903)

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

Etymology

The subspecific name, macdougalli, is in honor of naturalist Thomas Baillie MacDougall (1896–1973).

The subspecific name, sapperi, is in honor of German explorer Karl Theodor Sapper.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Variable Coralsnake

Is the Variable Coralsnake venomous?: Yes. The Variable Coralsnake (Micrurus diastema) 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 Variable Coralsnake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Variable Coralsnake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Variable 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 Variable Coralsnake live?: The Variable Coralsnake has verified records in 4 countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Belize. See the distribution section below for its full range.
How do I identify the Variable Coralsnake?: Rings of red, yellow, and black where red touches yellow; small rounded head and round pupils.
How big does the Variable Coralsnake get?: Slender, usually 1.5–3 ft.
Why is it called the Variable Coralsnake?: The subspecific name, macdougalli, is in honor of naturalist Thomas Baillie MacDougall (1896–1973). The subspecific name, sapperi, is in honor of German explorer Karl Theodor Sapper.

If you are bitten by the Variable 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

Mexico Guatemala Belize Honduras

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 diastema

Keep learning

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