coral snake

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coral snake

A child carefully observes a coral snake from a safe distance in a nature book.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A venomous New World snake with distinctive bright bands: A type of venomous snake found in the Americas, characterized by vivid, alternating bands of red, black, and either yellow or white.
    • A venomous elapid snake of the Old World: A type of venomous snake belonging to the elapid family, found in regions such as Asia, Africa, and Australia, often with bright, warning coloration.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The hiker was careful to avoid the brightly colored coral snake on the trail.
    • Coral snakes are known for their potent neurotoxic venom.
    • Unlike some other snakes, many coral snakes are shy and reclusive.
Advanced Usage
  • "True coral snake": Often used to specify snakes of the genus found in the Americas.
    • The Eastern coral snake is a classic example of a true coral snake.
  • Mimicry: The term is used in biological contexts to discuss non-venomous snakes that mimic the appearance of venomous coral snakes.
    • The scarlet kingsnake is a harmless mimic of the coral snake.
Variants and Related Words
  • Elapid (noun): A member of the family Elapidae, which includes coral snakes, cobras, and mambas.
    • Coral snakes, taipans, and kraits are all elapids.
  • Micrurus (noun): The primary genus of New World coral snakes.
    • The species Micrurus fulvius is the Eastern coral snake.
Synonyms
  • Harlequin snake: Another common name for some coral snakes, referring to their colorful pattern.
  • American coral snake: A term specifying New World species.
Related Phrases and Idioms
  • "Red on yellow, kill a fellow; red on black, venom lack": A common mnemonic rhyme used in North America to distinguish venomous coral snakes (with red bands touching yellow bands) from non-venomous mimics (with red bands touching black bands).
    • When trying to identify the snake, he remembered the rhyme: "Red on yellow, kill a fellow."
coral snake

A child carefully observes a coral snake from a safe distance in a nature book.

Noun
  1. any of several venomous New World snakes brilliantly banded in red and black and either yellow or white; widely distributed in South America and Central America
  2. any of various venomous elapid snakes of Asia and Africa and Australia

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