coral snake
noun
1
: any of several venomous chiefly tropical New World elapid snakes (genera Micrurus and Micruroides) brilliantly banded in red, black, and yellow or white that include two (Micrurus fulvius and Micruroides euryxanthus) ranging northward into the southern U.S.
2
: any of several harmless snakes resembling the coral snakes
Examples of coral snake in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
According to a study published in the journal Behavioral Ecology, more bats and birds will steer clear of wind turbines when their blades are painted with colors similar to animals like venomous coral snakes and poison dart frogs.
—
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 May 2026
The venomous coral snake does not have the telltale arrowhead shape and can often be confused with the nonvenomous kingsnake.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
In the Southeast, there are several venomous snakes that could potentially cause an injury to a human or pet: three species of rattlesnakes (eastern diamondback, timber, and pygmy), copperhead, cotton mouth (also known as water moccasins), and coral snake, says Maerz.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
That makes people less likely to get a venomous bite from a coral snake.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coral snake
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Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 May 2026
The venomous coral snake does not have the telltale arrowhead shape and can often be confused with the nonvenomous kingsnake.
—Cody Godwin, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
In the Southeast, there are several venomous snakes that could potentially cause an injury to a human or pet: three species of rattlesnakes (eastern diamondback, timber, and pygmy), copperhead, cotton mouth (also known as water moccasins), and coral snake, says Maerz.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2026
That makes people less likely to get a venomous bite from a coral snake.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coral snake
Cite this Entry
“Coral snake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coral%20snake. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
coral snake
noun
: any of several venomous chiefly tropical New World elapid snakes of the genera Micrurus and Micruroides that are brilliantly banded in red, black, and yellow or white and include two (Micrurus fulvius and Micruroides euryxanthus) ranging northward into the southern United States
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