The coral snake belongs to the Elapid family, which includes cobras, kingsnakes and rattlesnakes.
They are nocturnal, feeding at night or shortly before dawn. They prey on small prey such as lizards and frogs.
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Lizards
Lizards are one of the most diverse groups of reptiles, ranging in length from chameleons to monitor lizards that can grow up to 3 metres long. The largest species are Komodo dragons which weigh 154 pounds (70 kilograms) and can grow up to 10.3 feet long (3.1 meters).
Lizards can be found in tropical forests, deserts and islands. Some eat a wide range of animals while others specialize in eating insects or fruit.
Lizards such as iguanas often sport vibrant body parts to communicate with one another. Male iguanas use these colors to attract females.
Eastern coral snakes, for instance, have been known to consume other limbless reptiles as well as insects, rodents and frogs. Several species of lizards such as geckos provide a major source of food for these snakes along with small mammals, birds and other similar prey items.
Frogs
Frogs are an important source of food for coral snakes. These amphibians can be found around the world and have evolved to fit in various habitats.
Male frogs make calls that attract females and ward off rivals. Each species has its own call, and the male who successfully attracts a female with his signal takes her, fertilizes her eggs, and takes charge of their care.
Some frogs fertilize their eggs outside the female’s body, while others keep them inside a pouch like a kangaroo does. A marsupial frog, for instance, carries her young embedded in her back skin before releasing them into water once they hatch into tadpoles.
Some frogs, like the toad, are carnivorous creatures that will consume any live prey they can find – from tadpoles to mice. Some species, like Argentina’s ornate horned frog, even swallow whole fish!
Other Snakes
Coral snakes vary in species, but may feed on lizards, insects, small mammals and birds. They are omnivorous with two pairs of small fixed fangs that deliver venom to their prey.
Coral snakes, like other snakes, are opportunistic feeders; they will take advantage of any food source they come across. In deserts and grasslands they often prey upon small rodents such as mice.
Coral snakes have a wide mouth, but they do not chew to release their prey; rather, they bite it and hold on throughout the meal. This behavior could be an attempt at protecting themselves from larger predators by biting or eating themselves first.
Coral snakes have a reputation for being highly venomous, so it’s best not to come across one in the wild! Their bite can cause various symptoms like slurred speech, double vision, muscular paralysis and even death. Furthermore, their venom is neurotoxic – disrupting nerves and leading to brain damage.
Birds
Eastern coral snakes feed on smaller snakes, lizards, frogs and birds as well as insects and small mammals.
Coral snakes cannot heat-sense their prey like pit vipers can, so they must search for it. This explains why they prefer hunting in dense vegetation or other nocturnal habitats.
Coral snakes often feed on birds, especially nestlings. While they won’t consume a bird that has already shed its feathers, they will attempt to find one still alive and able to defend itself against their venomous bite.
Coral snakes are highly toxic and should never be kept in captivity. Children or adults should never handle them, as they could become very dangerous if handled incorrectly. Although listed as species of least concern on the IUCN Red List, some species are listed as endangered or imperiled due to human encroachment into their natural ranges as well as factors like habitat loss and threats to their health.
