by Eastern Coral Snake
coral snake, any of more than 100 species of small, secretive, and brightly patterned ᴠᴇɴᴏᴍᴏᴜs snakes of the cobra family (Elapidae). New World coral snakes range in size from 40 to 160 cm (16 to 63 inches) and are classified in three genera (Leptomicrurus, Micruroides, and Micrurus); they are found mainly in the tropics. Three additional genera of related snakes live in Asia and Africa. Most species are tricoloured (rarely bicoloured), with various combinations of red, black, and yellow or white rings; width of the rings varies. All have smooth scales and a short tail. Short hollow fangs deliver a potent ɴᴇᴜʀᴏᴛᴏxɪᴄ ᴠᴇɴᴏᴍ.
Coral snakes are extremely reclusive and generally ʙɪᴛᴇ humans only when handled or stepped on. They must literally ᴄʜᴇᴡ on their victim to inject their ᴠᴇɴᴏᴍ fully, so most ʙɪᴛᴇs to humans don’t result in ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ. In fact, no ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜs from coral snake ʙɪᴛᴇs have been reported in the U.S. since an antivenin was released in 1967. Coral snake “It is a much has a neurotoxin ᴠᴇɴᴏᴍ.”A neurotoxin is a poison that acts on the nervous system. There are many different neurotoxins, and each one has a specific effect on nervous tissue and the body, he said. Coral snake ᴠᴇɴᴏᴍ neurotoxin may not cause symptoms right away, and they might not show up for hours. Some of the symptoms include ʙʟᴜʀʀᴇᴅ ᴠɪsɪᴏɴ, ᴅɪꜰꜰɪᴄᴜʟᴛʏ ʙʀᴇᴀᴛʜɪɴɢ, ɴᴀᴜsᴇᴀ, ᴘᴀʀᴀʟʏsɪs and ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ. Eastern coral snakes are relatives of the cobra, mamba, and sea snake. They live in the wooded, sandy, and marshy areas of the southeastern United States, and spend most of their lives burrowed underground or in leaf piles.
They ᴇᴀᴛ lizards, frogs, and smaller snakes, including other coral snakes. Baby snakes emerge from their eggs 7 inches long and fully ᴠᴇɴᴏᴍᴏᴜs. Adults reach about 2 feet in length. Average lifespan in the wild is unknown, but they can live up to seven years in captivity.
