News Release

FWC provides information on coral snakes

May 30, 2008
Contact: Gabriella Ferraro, 772-215-9459

Earlier this month, a Palm Beach County teen was treated with antivenin after receiving a bite from a coral snake.  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigated this incident, and the teen should make a full recovery.

The incident came just weeks after the local media reported two family pets (dogs) died from coral snake bites in separate incidents.

In an effort to educate and inform the public about coral snakes and the availability of antivenin, the FWC hosted a media event in West Palm Beach on May 30.

FWC biologists and law enforcement officers participated in the event.  FWC officers are often the first to respond to the scene or the hospital when a person is bitten by a venomous snake. 

“Coral snakes are often misidentified with king snakes and milk snakes, which mimic the coral snake’s pattern,” said Shannon Wiyda, an FWC law enforcement investigator. “Coral snakes are not aggressive and have a poor delivery method for injecting venom. Most bites occur because of accidental handling resulting from misidentification or while engaged in an activity like gardening.”

Wiyda advises that the best way to prevent snake bites is to be aware of your surroundings and not handle any snakes, because even nonvenomous snakes can cause injury.

“Coral snakes are normally secretive animals by nature,” said Wes Seitz, FWC biologist.  “Accidental bites are extremely rare.  Usually, a person bit by a coral snake was trying to capture the snake, was harassing it in some way or even trying to kill it.”

The FWC works with the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s Venom Response Unit to expedite the emergency transportation of antivenin in Florida.  The FWC’s aircraft are available for these rapid responses.

The agreement between the agencies was announced by Gov. Charlie Crist last year.

The Florida Poison Control Information Center Network reported 19 coral snake bites statewide last year. The majority of victims were aged 25-44, and the majority of bites were considered minor.