ODE TO THE CORAL SNAKE

By Mark Gray, Senior Wildlife Biologist

If you live in the Texas Hill Country chances are you've been warned about venomous snakes. The Texas coral snake, one of the most striking in appearance, is also one most likely to cause confusion thanks to its brilliant bands of red, yellow, and black. Its non-venomous cousin, the milksnake, also sports the same brilliant bands of color, but in a different pattern. While some of us rely on information gleaned in herpetological textbooks, many of us quickly call to mind catchy rhymes: "Red on yellow, kill a fellow; red on black, friend of Jack" or "red into black, venom lack; red into yellow, kill a fellow." The sayings describe the alternating bands of color found along the entirety of the snake, where the red and yellow bands are touching in coral snakes. This color pattern is mimicked by the non-venomous milksnake, which have red and yellow bands that are separated by black bands. These rhymes only hold true for coral snakes that are found throughout North America.

Although legendary for their deadly venom, coral snake bites are actually extremely rare, mainly due to their docile nature. Coral snakes are typically fossorial, meaning they spend the majority of the time buried in the ground, within leaf-litter, or in dark hiding space like a log or unused flower pot. They are active throughout the day looking for a variety of food items including frogs, lizards, small snakes, small mammals, and even nestlings. Coral snakes are unique amongst the vipers by having rear-facing, non-retractable fangs. A coral snake tends to chew its prey to help release the neurotoxic venom. This is much different to the fast striking rattlesnakes who deliver copious amounts of venom in a lightening fast strikes. Many coral snake bites are also "dry," and venom is not released.

Coral snake bites typically comprise just 1 percent of the venomous snake bites reported in the United States, but, if you are bitten, it is vital to seek immediate medical attention - don't wait for a reaction as delayed responses are common in coral snake bites. Coral snake venom is comprised of a powerful neurotoxin that paralyzes the breathing muscles. Mechanical or artificial respiration, along with large doses of anti-venom, are often required to save a victim's life. There is usually only mild pain associated with a bite, but respiratory failure can occur within hours.

Coral snakes are a unique and fascinating part of our ecosytem, and should not be feared, but respected and considered with knowledge...and, perhaps, rhymes.

Red on yellow, kill a fellow; red on black, friend of Jack.

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