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The elapids include three subfamilies, which are referred to as elapinae, hydrophiinae, and lauticaudinae. Two groups of coral snakes are included in the elapidae group – the eastern coral snake and the western coral snake. They are located in various parts of the world in hot, humid and/or tropical climates.
The eastern coral snake’s primary location is in the United States, with the state of Florida being its preference. The coral snake’s activity occurs mostly during the evening and nighttime hours and also during rainy weather.
There are two additional three-banded snakes in Florida, however, there are ways one can distinguish differences. If the red and yellow bands touch, it is the venomous and dangerous coral snake. The alternate band on the coral snake is always yellow. The alternate band on the mimic snake is black. The nose on the coral snake is always black, and the nose on the mimic snake is always red.
The scarlet snake (Cemophora coccinea) and the scarlet king snake (Lamproptriangulum elapsoides) are the mimic snakes. The scarlet king snake is the only one without a band around its body. Both the coral and the king snake’s bodies are completely encircled with bands.
Although the coral snake is one of the deadliest of venomous snakes, it seldom strikes people. Of course it is not in the best interest of anyone to put the snake to the test; however, one must sit on the snake, or aggravate it in some fashion before it normally decides to strike.
Camping stories have been told referencing the fact that a coral snake may curl around one’s legs while asleep without biting the person. It is noted in each and every story that the coral snake was the aggressor, not the human being. Therefore, the snake did not bite the person.
Over fifty-percent of all venomous snake bites in the United States come from rattlesnakes, and only one percent from coral snakes. The others include copperheads and water moccasins. Children are bitten more often than adults.
Over half of coral snake bites are not deadly because venom escapes the human being's system. The snake must actually chew through skin layers to inject the poison. If heavy clothes are worn at the time of the snakebite, less venom will seep into a person’s system. Natually, it is less dangerous. Although the coral snake's venom is deadlier than other poisonous snakes, the coral snake is smaller and has lesser amounts of venom produced.
If a coral's venom sacs are empty at the time it strikes, the person is not injured. There have been incidents that the snakes’ fangs are damaged at the time of the bite, which evolves into yet another non-threatening situation pertinent to a human being’s life.
The western coral snake is approximately thirteen to twenty-two inches long, and it, like the eastern coral snake, is a member of the elapidae family. The western coral snake is oft times found in the northern region of Mexico. It is also located in the southwestern desserts. They make their homes under rocks or buried in soil. When one is bitten by a coral snake or any other kind of snake for that matter, the person should be directed immediately to a hospital for care. Emergency care for a coral snake is similar to that of a pit viper snakebite.
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