More hype. More of a let's spread the fear article! Seems to be a hot thing to do lately in the media, especially on made in Hollywood made for TV ratings adventure type shows set to hyped music scores and narrated by an overly-dramatic-raise the-hype actor - spread the fear by way of ignorance of any animal that MIGHT pose a risk to humans! Have you heard some of the overly dramatic background music scores and equally overly dramatic over-the-top hype-it-up narrators on TV shows, even documentaries, lately? I've noticed several TV shows specifically aimed at spreading fear of animals - whether it be venemous snakes, alligators, bears, etc.
I've seen many coral snakes in Fl. None of them were agressive. As some others have posted, most cases of the snakes biting people were when the snakes were purposely being handled or when the snakes were suddenly disturbed, like when picking up a potted plant that had been outdoors. The snakes have a small mouth, are rear fanged, and unless they can find a place to hold down and get a good bite, like between toes or fingers, they can't inject that much venom. They are very susceptible to cold spells, making them very unlikely to strike in colder months.
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Coral snakes tend to be relatively shy creatures, and bites are uncommon. Coral snakes account for fewer than 1% of venomous snakebites in the United States. Most people bitten by coral snakes are handling them intentionally. Most bites occur in the spring or fall.
Pathophysiology
The coral snake venom apparatus is composed of a pair of small, fixed, hollow fangs in the anterior aspect of the upper jaw through which the snake conducts venom via a chewing motion. Unlike pit vipers, such as rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths, which strike quickly, coral snakes must hang on for a brief period to achieve significant envenomation in humans.
Coral snake venoms tend to have significant neurotoxicity, inducing neuromuscular dysfunction. They have little enzymatic activity or necrotic potential compared with most vipers and pit vipers. These venoms tend to be some of the most potent found in snakes, yet the venom yield per animal is less than that of most vipers or pit vipers. Because of the relatively primitive venom delivery apparatus, as many as 60% of those bitten by North American coral snakes are not envenomed.
Frequency
United States
***Probably fewer than 20 bites per year (though 99 alleged bites were reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers in 2004).<A href="javascript
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Mortality/Morbidity
NO(NO)*** deaths related to coral snake bites have been reported in the United States since coral snake antivenom became available. Before that time, the estimated case-fatality rate was 10%,*** and the cause of death was respiratory or cardiovascular failure. Patients who survive the bite may require respiratory support for up to a week and may suffer persistent weakness for weeks to month.
*Taken from WEB MD.