Eastern Coral Snake

Potent neurotoxin but tiny fangs and low yield. 'Red touch black' rhyme for identification.

GenusMicrurus

RegionNorth AmericaSoutheastern United States

Misidentification risk

Eastern Coral SnakeMilk Snake

Photo: John · Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY 2.0

Eastern Coral Snake

Photo: John · Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY 2.0

Eastern Coral Snake

Danger Score

Final Danger Score

Venom Core

Lethality weighted 55% (potency × yield). Clinical weighted 45% (real-world CFR).

0.55 × 25 + 0.45 × 5237.2

Modifiers

Multiplicative scalers - amplify or reduce existing danger, can't create it from nothing.

× Speed (0.94)34.9

× Delivery (1.00)34.9

× Encounter (0.78)27.2

Speed = antivenom window. Delivery = fang efficiency. Encounter = exposure × temperament.

Score27

Type

NeurotoxicAffects the nervous system; disrupts nerve-muscle communication and can cause paralysis or respiratory failure.

Venom Yield

Very Low

Venom Speed

Slow

Delivery Method

Fixed front fangs

Potency (SC Equivalent)

0.600mg/kg LD50

Max Dry Yield

3mg dry

Fatality (Untreated)

5-15%

WHO Importance

Cat. 1

Local Effects

Pain at bite site

Neurological

Numbness or tingling, Paralysis, Difficulty breathing

Causes of Death

Respiratory failure