Eastern coral snake
Eastern coral snake Introduction
The Eastern coral snake is a species of venomous species of snake native to the southeast area of the United states. Coral snakes are extremely reclusive and generally bite humans only when handled or stepped on. They must literally chew on their victim to inject their venom fully, so most bites to humans don’t result in death. 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 eat lizards, frogs, and smaller snakes, including other coral snakes. Baby snakes emerge from their eggs 7 inches long and fully venomous. Adults reach about 2 feet in length. Average lifespan in the wild is unknown, but they can live up to seven years in captivity.
Keywords to learn
Burrow: a hole or tunnel dug by a small animal, especially a rabbit, as a dwelling
Captivity: the condition of being imprisoned or confined
About Me
Hey Kids, my name is Ellis the Eastern coral snake and I am very happy to meet you. Learn more about me and my species @ http://www.kids.nationalgeographic.com
Key Data
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Order:Squamata.
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Lifespan:Up to 7 years.
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Class:Reptilia.
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Scientific Name:Micrurus fulvius.
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Mass:Data deficient.
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Length:20 to 30 inches.
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Region found:North America.
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Population Status:Least concern.
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Current population trend:Stable.
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Diet:Carnivorous.
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Sexual maturity:N/A.
As you have just learned, the eastern coral snake is a very reclusive and venomous snake. but so beautiful none the less.
Now that you know more about the Eastern coral snake by learning the key data above, be sure also to check out the fun facts. When you are finished learning the facts, try answering the questions in the Q&A corner on the bottom right side of the page.
Download questions about the Eastern coral snake here: Eastern coral snake (answers are on this page)
Teachers. For more in depth work sheets on snakes. Click on Kidskonnect Worksheets
Eastern Coral Snake Fun Facts for Kids
- # 1. A bite from the notoriously venomous eastern coral snake at first seems anticlimactic.
- # 2. There is little or no pain or swelling at the site of the bite, and other symptoms can be delayed for 12 hours. However, if untreated by antivenin, the neurotoxin begins to disrupt the connections between the brain and the muscles, causing slurred speech, double vision, and muscular paralysis, eventually ending in respiratory or cardiac failure.
- # 3. This iconic snake, with its bulbous head and red, yellow, and black bands, is famous as much for its potent venom as for the many rhymes—”Red and yellow, kill a fellow; red and black, friend of Jack”—penned to distinguish it from similarly patterned, nonvenomous copycats, such as the scarlet king snake.
- # 4. No deaths from coral snake bites have been reported in the U.S. since an antivenin was released in 1967.
- # 5. Coral snakes are the only venomous snake in the U.S that lays eggs.
Q&A Corner
# 1. Name two things the Eastern coral snake eats?
# 2. What order does the Eastern coral snake belong to?
# 3. What is the population status of the Eastern coral snake?
# 4. Name two symptoms of an Eastern coral snake bite?
# 5. What is the saying used to identify venomous coral snakes from copycats?
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