Cat caught a Coral Snake(pic)

My neighbors cat caught this coral snake in our front yard. It does have a bite from the cat and seems to be ok. Will be treating the wound and releasing it back in the wild away from my home.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../2/4/coral.JPG

nice coral

Be VERY careful. That nerotoxin can be nasty, if it bit you.

Be careful. You SHOULD (dont quote) be able to wear a decently thick garden glove and be fine with corals. Again, im not positive.

Aren't coral snakes rear fanged and not very prone to bite? None the less I'd still be careful, and good job trying to help the snake. :rockon:

you're a wonderful person!

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Originally Posted by panthercz

Aren't coral snakes rear fanged and not very prone to bite? None the less I'd still be careful, and good job trying to help the snake. :rockon:

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Yea they are rear fanged and are really quite nice for a hot. However there venom is the most potent in the U.S. so if you do get bit it wil suck royal big ones. Be really carefull

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Originally Posted by panthercz

Aren't coral snakes rear fanged and not very prone to bite? None the less I'd still be careful, and good job trying to help the snake. :rockon:

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they are elapids, they are fixed front fanged (http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-cou...animallist.pdf page 4, elapid section). just like cobras with their teeth structure etc. leather gloves would be a better bet (DON"T QUOTE ME EITHER!!!!!!!!). what and how are you going to treat it? are you licenced, i am only asking because if someone who isn't is bitten and severely hurt, is bad rep for the herp community. if you are good for you! if not you may wish just to either release it or send it to someone who has experience and paperwork to deal with them.

~mike

how was the cat? did it end up dying from a bite??? did you end up releasing it without a bite yourself?

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Originally Posted by wildlifewarrior

they are elapids, they are fixed front fanged (http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-cou...animallist.pdf page 4, elapid section). just like cobras with their teeth structure etc. leather gloves would be a better bet (DON"T QUOTE ME EITHER!!!!!!!!). what and how are you going to treat it? are you licenced, i am only asking because if someone who isn't is bitten and severely hurt, is bad rep for the herp community. if you are good for you! if not you may wish just to either release it or send it to someone who has experience and paperwork to deal with them.

~mike

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I stand corrected

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Originally Posted by andwhy6

how was the cat? did it end up dying from a bite??? did you end up releasing it without a bite yourself?

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I think he meant that the cat bit the snake, not the other way around.

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Originally Posted by wildlifewarrior

they are elapids, they are fixed front fanged (http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-cou...animallist.pdf page 4, elapid section). just like cobras with their teeth structure etc. leather gloves would be a better bet (DON"T QUOTE ME EITHER!!!!!!!!).

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Oops, yeah you're right.

Hmm...I wonder why I was thinking it was rear fanged, I must be tired. :rolleye2:

beautiful snake.

congrats to the cat... nice find.

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Originally Posted by panthercz

Oops, yeah you're right.

Hmm...I wonder why I was thinking it was rear fanged, I must be tired. :rolleye2:

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Common mistake with them for some reason. I used to think they were. No clue what led me to it but alot of people think they are.

That one had to have cost the cat at least 3-4 lives...I'm amazed the cat wasn't bitten...

aren't corals the only new world elapid? not that this makes a difference, just curious.

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Originally Posted by qiksilver

aren't corals the only new world elapid? not that this makes a difference, just curious.

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i believe yellowbellied sea snakes range on the Pacific coast of central america and hawaii. Don't quote me on that one though.

the cat may have been alright if it has a thick corse coat to make bitting difficult.

I think the reason many people think they are rear fanged is two reasons. some people think only rear fanged snakes are fixed fanged, paired with the second reason that coral snakes often have "trouble" bitting because their mouths are so small, similar to the way it is "difficult" to be envenomated by small rearfanged snakes.
hope that helps everyone

~mike

Lovely Coral Snake. Easy to see how the Milksnakes mimic the Coral Snake's colours. Glad both the cat and the snake are OK.

Just a follow up. The cat is fine. And the snake seems to be ok too. I talked to an expert last nite and he said that it takes alot to get them to bite. Not only that but there teeth are so small that most of the time they won't even break the skin. Not taking any chances though I been handling with thick leather gloves. They are very fast and squirmy too. I'll release him this weekend. It's just really cool to see and hold one. ooo the adreneline rush.

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Originally Posted by itzazoo

I talked to an expert last nite and he said that it takes alot to get them to bite. .

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Well, if it had to take something drastic to get it to bite, a cat would definately be it! :)

Just letting y'all know that the snake and cat are fine and I released the snake back into the woods.