THE CORAL SNAKE
The coral snakes are a large group of elapidsnakes that can be divided into two distinct groups: New World coral snakes and Old WorldCalliophis snakes. There are three genera among New World coral snakes that consist of over 65 recognized species.
Coral snakes are most notable for their red, yellow/white, and black colored banding. (Several nonvenomous species have similar coloration, however, including the Scarlet Kingsnake, the Milk Snake, and the Chionactis occipitalis annulata). In some regions, the order of the bands distinguishes between the non-venomous mimics and the venomous coral snakes, inspiring some folk rhymes — "Red and yellow, kill a fellow; red and black, friendly jack", and "Red and yellow, kill a fellow; red and black, venom lack" However, this only reliably applies to coral snakes native to North America: Micrurus fulvius (Eastern or common), Micrurus tener (Texas), and Micruroides euryxanthus (Arizona), found in the southern and eastern United States. Coral snakes found in other parts of the world can have distinctly different patterns, have red bands touching black bands, have only pink and blue banding, or have no banding at all.
Most species of coral snake are small in size. North American species average around 3 feet (91 cm) in length, but specimens of up to 5 feet (150 cm) or slightly larger have been reported. Aquatic species have flattened tails, to act as a fin, aiding in swimming
Coral snakes vary widely in their behavior, but most are very elusive, fossorial snakes which spend the vast majority of their time buried in the ground or in the leaf litter of a rainforest floor, only coming to the surface during rains or during breeding season. Some species, like Micrurus surinamensis are almost entirely aquatic and spend most of their lives in slow-moving bodies of water that have dense vegetation.
Like all elapid snakes, coral snakes use a pair of small fangs, which are fixed in the front of their top jaw, to deliver their venom. Due to the time it takes for the venom to take effect, coral snakes have a tendency to hold on to a victim when biting, unlike vipers which have retractable fangs and tend to prefer to strike and let go immediately. Coral snakes are not aggressive or prone to biting however, and account for less than one percent of the number of snake bites each year in the United States. Most coral snake bites occur because of accidental handling of the snake while engaged in an activity like gardening.
New World coral snakes exist in the southern range of many temperate U.S. states.
The eastern coral snake is found in scattered localities in the southern Coastal Plain from North Carolina to Louisiana , including all of Florida , where they are most prevalent. They can be found in pine and scrub oak sandhills habitats in parts of their range but sometimes inhabit hardwood areas and pine flatwoods that undergo seasonal flooding.[1]
There is controversy about the classification of the very similar Texas coral snake as a separate species. Its habitat, in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, is separated from the eastern habitat by the Mississippi River.[2]
The Arizona coral snake, clearly a separate species, is found in central and southern Arizona, extreme southwestern New Mexico and southward to Sinaloa in western Mexico. It occupies arid and semiarid regions in many different habitat types including thornscrub, desert-scrub, woodland, grassland and farmland. It is found in the plains and lower mountain slopes from sea level to 5800 feet (1768 m); often found in rocky areas. [3]
New World coral snakes possess the second most potent venom of any North American snake, behind some rattlesnake species. However, few bites are recorded due to their reclusive nature and the fact they generally inhabit sparsely populated areas. When confronted by humans, coral snakes will almost always attempt to flee, and bite only as a last resort. In addition, coral snakes have short fangs (proteroglyph dentition) that cannot penetrate thick leather clothing. Any skin penetration, however, is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Coral snakes have a powerful neurotoxin that paralyzes the breathing muscles; mechanical or artificial respiration, along with large doses of antivenom, are often required to save a victim's life. There is usually only mild pain associated with a bite, but breathing difficulties and ptosis can occur within hours.
THE MILK SNAKE
The milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum; French: Couleuvre tachetée; Spanish: Culebra-real coralillo)[1] is a species of king snake. There are 25 subspecies among the milk snakes, including the commonly named scarlet kingsnake (L. t. elapsoides).[1] The subspecies have strikingly different appearance, and many of them have their own common names. Some authorities suggest that this species may be split into several separate species.[1] They are distributed from southeastern Canada, through most of the continental United States, to Central America, down to western Ecuador and northern Venezuela of northern South America.[1][2] They grow 20 to 60 inches (50-152 cm) long
Milksnakes have smooth and shiny scales and their typical color pattern is alternating bands of red-black-yellow or white-black-red.[1] However, red blotches instead of bands are seen in some populations.[1] Some milk snakes have a striking resemblance to coral snakes and this mimicry (known as Batesian mimicry) likely scares away potential predators. While both milksnakes and coral snakes possess transverse bands of red, black and yellow, a common mnemonic can be used to properly distinguish between the deadly coral snake and the harmless milksnake:
However, the Eastern Milk Snake (L. t. triangulum) does not resemble a coral snake; instead it tends to have similar markings to that of several other snakes, particularly the fox snake. There is enough distinction to make the Eastern Milk Snake fairly easy to identify. Eastern Milk Snakes also have a light colored v-shaped or y-shaped patch on their neck. One subspecies is melanistic (almost all black).[1]
Snakes have no eyelids and instead have a transparent covering that rests over their eyes called brilles to protect their eyes from dust and dirt.[3] The brilles give them a "glassy-eyed" blank appearance
Across the wide range of this species, habitat varies. Typically, milksnakes live in forested regions, however, in some regions they can be located in open prairies. In various parts of across its distribution, milksnakes often abide in rocky slopes
Milksnakes activity is mostly nocturnal. They are primarily terrestrial, except the scarlet kingsnake which is known to take shelter under the bark of standing dead trees.Milk snakes eat a lot of different roden
Young milksnakes typically eat slugs, insects, and earthworms.[3] Adult diet frequently includes lizards (especially skinks), and small mammals.[1] They are also known to eat birds and their eggs, frogs, fish, and other snakes.[3]
Milk Snakes are much more opportunistic eaters than the fox snake or corn snake. They have been known to consume a variety of animals including rodents, eggs, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Nevertheless the diet of an adult milk snake still primarily consists of rodents. They are nocturnal eaters and are often found during the day in old barns and under wood.
Like other members of the king snake family, the milk snakes sometimes eat other snakes, and do have at least some immunity to their venom.
An early myth about milksnakes is that they suck cow udders to get the milk.[1] The myth is entirely false.[1] The milksnake does not have the physical capabilities to suck milk out of a cow. Milksnakes are, however, frequently found in and around barns,[1] making use of their cool and dark environments, and for the easily accessed populations of rodents[1] to feed on. This proximity to barns, and therefore cows, probably gave rise to the myth.[1]
Subspecies
Guatemalan Milksnake, L. t. abnorma (Bocourt, 1886)
Louisiana Milksnake, L. t. amaura (Cope, 1861)
Andean Milksnake, L. t. andesiana (Williams, 1978)
Mexican Milksnake, L. t. annulata (Kennicott, 1861)
Jalisco Milksnake, L. t. arcifera (Werner, 1903)
Blanchard's Milksnake, L. t. blanchardi (Stuart, 1935)
Pueblan Milksnake, L. t. campbelli (Quinn, 1983)
New Mexico Milksnake, L. t. celaenops (Stejneger, 1903)
Conant's Milksnake, L. t. conanti (Williams, 1978)
Dixon's Milksnake, L. t. dixoni (Quinn, 1983)
Mexican Milk Snake, L. t. annulataScarlet KingsnakeL. t. elapsoides (Holbrook, 1838)
Black Milksnake, L. t. gaigeae (Dunn, 1937)
Central Plains Milksnake, L. t. gentilis (Baird & Girard, 1853)
Honduran Milksnake, L. t. hondurensis (Williams, 1978)
Ecuadoran Milksnake, L. t. micropholis (Cope, 1860)
Pale Milksnake, L. t. multistrata (Kennicott, 1861)
Nelson's[4] Milksnake, L. t. nelsoni (Blanchard, 1920)
Pacific American Milksnake, L. t. oligozona (Bocourt, 1886)
AtlanticCentral American Milksnake, L. t. polyzona (Cope, 1861)
Sinaloan Milksnake, L. t. sinaloae (Williams, 1978)
Smith's[4] Milksnake, L. t. smithi (Williams, 1978)
Stuart's Milksnake, L. t. stuarti (Williams, 1978)
Red Milksnake, L. t. syspila (Cope, 1889)
Utah Milksnake, L. t. taylori (Tanner & Loomis, 1957
Eastern Milksnake, L. t. triangulum (Lacépède 1788)