Arizona Coral Snake

The Arizona coral snake is among the most venomous snakes in North America.

The Arizona coral snake, also known as the Sonoran coral snake or the Western coral snake, is highly dangerous to people. It should never be approached in the wild. Nevertheless, while their venom is highly toxic, the snake can’t always inject the full force of the venom into the human bloodstream. They are generally responsible for fewer deaths than rattlesnakes.

4 Amazing Arizona Coral Snake Facts!

• The Arizona coral snake comes out at night to hunt during the summer, whereas it’s more active during morning and evening hours in the spring and fall. If the temperature drops far enough, it may hibernate (brumate) during the winter.
• The reproductive season of the Arizona coral snake takes place during the late spring and sometimes even the fall. After mating, females lay two or three eggs in the summer, which takes about 10 weeks to hatch. The juveniles measure about 7 or 8 inches in size after emerging from the eggs. The lifespan is thought to be around 10 years. However, the lifespan may be cut short by predators like birds of prey.
• The Arizona coral snake has an organ located on the roof of the mouth that senses scent molecules. To smell, it gathers odors on the forked tongue and presses the molecules against the two holes in the upper mouth.
• A few species of harmless snakes in the same location attempt to mimic coral snakes to fool predators, but they don’t have the same patterns and colorations.

Where to Find Arizona Coral Snakes

The Arizona coral snake is native to the Sonora Desert region of northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States, particularly Arizona. It prefers to inhabit the remote arid plains, hills, and mountain slopes far from any human habitats. The snake spends most of its time hiding under rocks and logs but may emerge at sundown or during rainy or overcast weather.

Scientific Name and Species

The scientific name of the Arizona coral snake is Micruroides euryxanthus. Micruroides is derived from the Greek term Micrurus, which means small tail. Euryxanthus, on the other hand, is derived from the two Greek words eury, which means wide or broad, and xanthos, which means yellow. This probably refers to the yellow bands along the snake’s entire body. The western coral snake is in the same family as cobras, mambas, and sea kraits. It is the only living member of its genus and the only species.

Evolution

Fossil records show that snakes first appeared during the Cretaceous period – although they often retained their hind limbs. The earliest true snake fossils come from the marine simoliophiids, the first being Hassiophis terasanctus, dated between 112 – 94 million years ago.

Scientists believe that snakes descended from lizards. Pythons and boas, the most primitive snakes, have vestigial hind limbs and some have remnants of a pelvic girdle appearing as horny projections.

Many modern snakes originated during the Paleocene alongside the radiation of mammals that occurred after the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs. The expansion of grasslands in North America led to a major radiation of snakes. During the Miocene, the number of snake species increased with the first vipers and elapids and the diversification of Colubridae.

Population & Conservation Status

According to the IUCN Red List, the Arizona coral snake is a species of the least concern. Population numbers are unknown, but they appear to be stable and widespread throughout their natural range. There are no serious threats to this species in the wild, but habitat loss may be a minor problem in some locations.

Appearance & Description

The Arizona coral snake does not look very intimidating at first. This small species measures about 13 to 18 inches long, up to a maximum of around 24 inches. The diameter of its body is also quite thin, about the same size as a pencil. Nevertheless, the unusual color scheme is a warning of its toxicity. Its entire body is covered in alternating red and black bands, each one separated by additional light yellow bands that are sometimes so pale that they look cream-colored or off-white. These bands, which are common to the coral snakes, should tell you to stay away. Another important feature is the very narrow black head, which measures about the same diameter as the body. It also has small fangs that, unlike rattlesnakes, cannot be folded back into the upper mouth. Males and females are very difficult to tell apart without a thorough examination.

Here is how to identify the Arizona coral snake:

• Short, thin body measuring no more than 24 inches in size
• Small head
• Smooth scales
• Alternating bands of black and red bands separated by yellow bands

How Dangerous Are They?

The Arizona coral snake is capable of producing a type of highly potent toxin that directly attacks the nervous system. A single drop is thought to be two or three times more powerful than the venom of the western diamondback rattlesnake. It is certainly potent enough to kill an adult even when the antidote has been administered. Yet it’s also true that not a single fatality has ever been reported from its bite. There are a few reasons for the lack of fatalities: Arizona coral snakes are found only in remote locations and like to hide underground, they are not very aggressive toward humans, and their small fangs have difficulty fully penetrating the skin, much less clothing and shoes, without almost chewing through. This species is thought to account for a minuscule number of snake bites every year, mostly due to accidental encounters when outdoors. And even when it does strike, 40 percent of bites contain almost no actual venom. Nevertheless, if bitten, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible because the symptoms can be serious and may require hospitalization.

Diet

The Arizona coral snake feeds primarily on blind, black-headed, and other small smooth-scaled snakes. Occasionally, it will eat lizards like skinks. This reclusive snake usually emerges at sundown and will hunt all through the night.

Behavior and Humans

The Arizona coral snake is surprisingly timid around people. They almost always run away and hide rather than stand their ground and fight. They only tend to strike people when they feel surprised or cornered. If you see one, your first response should be to back away and leave it alone. They will most likely slither into a nearby hiding spot. Needless to say, because of their toxicity, they do not make good pets.

Similar Animals

• The Texas coral snake (Micrurus tener) has a few known aberrant patterns that don’t fit the norm for the species.
• Eastern coral snakes (Micrurus fulvius) are secretive and not often seen.
• Coral snakes are part of the Elapidae family with species both in the New World and Old World.