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."

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