Reptile · GBIF taxon 9173089
Micrurus fulvius
Micrurus fulviusAlso known as Eastern Coral Snake, Common Coral Snake, American Cobra
Eastern coral snakes spend much of their lives hidden beneath leaf litter, decaying logs, and loose sandy soil. Possessing potent neurotoxic venom, these secretive elapids display bold alternating rings of black, yellow, and red to warn potential predators. Females lay clutches of smooth, elongated eggs in decaying vegetation during early summer, leaving the hatchlings to forage independently for small reptiles.
VenomousSecretiveReptile
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Small snakes
- Glass lizards
- Small skinks
Predators
- Kingsnakes
- Raptors
- Opossums
ThreatsHabitat loss, vehicle strikes, mistaken destruction
HabitatsPine flatwoods, sandy scrub, oak hammocks, mesic woodlands
Life span7–10 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyElapidae
- GenusMicrurus
- SpeciesMicrurus fulvius
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskVery high
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is very high
- Possesses potent neurotoxic venom; keep a safe distance and never attempt to handle.
- Why it is dangerous
- Injects potent neurotoxic venom that disrupts nerve signals, potentially causing respiratory failure.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Features bright red, yellow, and black body rings with red touching yellow.
- What to do
- Maintain a distance of at least two meters and never reach blindly into leaf litter.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Keep a safe distance of at least two meters when photographing or watching.
- Habitat Safety: Avoid turning over logs or debris with bare hands in sandy woods.
- Identification: Remember the pattern rule where red rings touch yellow rings in local populations.
Non-Venomous Mimic (c) evangrimes, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by evangrimes · cc-by
Non-Venomous Mimic (c) Peter Paplanus, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Predator (c) Amy Huie, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) John Rosford, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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