Animal Profiles
Reptiles

Coral Snake

Micrurus

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Coral snakes include many species of venomous elapids. This account focuses on the eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius) of the southeastern United States.

Eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius), the representative species, photographed in a container in Jacksonville, Florida.

Eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius), the representative species, photographed in a container in Jacksonville, Florida.

Norman.benton · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Eastern coral snakes inhabit the southeastern United States, including Florida and the coastal plain. They use woodland and wetland edges, spending much of their time below ground or beneath fallen wood and leaf litter.
Habitat
Temperate forest, Wetlands
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Other snakes and lizards form an important part of the diet. Eastern coral snakes spend long periods concealed and emerge to forage or seek mates. Females lay eggs, and newly hatched snakes already carry the adult banding pattern.

Classification

Common name
Coral Snake
Browse group
Reptiles
Scientific name or taxon
Micrurus
Source classification
Reptilia

Three things to know

  • It has fixed front fangs.
  • It often shelters below ground.
  • Females lay eggs.

Habitat and range

Eastern coral snakes inhabit the southeastern United States, including Florida and the coastal plain. They use woodland and wetland edges, spending much of their time below ground or beneath fallen wood and leaf litter.

Appearance and adaptations

The slender body has red and black bands separated by narrow yellow bands. Fixed front fangs deliver venom. This description concerns one species; colour patterns differ among coral snakes and their lookalikes.

Diet and behaviour

Other snakes and lizards form an important part of the diet. Eastern coral snakes spend long periods concealed and emerge to forage or seek mates. Females lay eggs, and newly hatched snakes already carry the adult banding pattern.

Sources

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