sonora coral snake
sonora coral snake Lexical Profile
• noun
North American A small, highly venomous species of elapid snake (Micruroides euryxanthus) native to the arid desert regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, recognizable by its striking, alternating bands of red, black, and yellow or white.
"Because it spends most of its time underground or hidden beneath rocks, the Sonora coral snake is rarely encountered by desert hikers."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often confused with harmless look-alikes such as milk snakes or kingsnakes; it is critically distinguished by its banding sequence, where red bands directly touch yellow or white bands.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Named for its primary habitat, the Sonoran Desert (spanning the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico), combined with 'coral' for its vivid red, yellow, and black banded pattern.