Last week while I was working, I heard my dogs barking. When they didn't quit I went outside to quiet them.

Before I even stepped outside, I saw why. A brilliantly colored snake was crawling along side the neighbor's house.

I was sure it was a coral snake and I was terrified it might bite them.

I tried to remember that poem about yellow on red or whatever as I worked to get my dogs to retreat. I did take a mental photograph of it (should have grabbed my phone.)

By the time I finally got Bark and Lolli safely on the porch, the snake had disappeared. Immediately I got on the computer and started reading about them on National Geograhic. This is what I learned:

* The coral snake is in the cobra family...same as cobra, mamba and sea snake. Scary.

* Forget the poem. In our part of the world a coral snake has a black head...the nonvenomous one has a red one. Coral snakes have round eyes too - if you like to look snakes in the face.

* Coral snakes are 20 to 30 inches long. They can live for up to 7 years.

* They are not aggressive meaning they won't chase you or strike at you but you don't want to step on one or pick it up. Or stand there and bark at it.

* Coral snakes don't strike because they don't have long fangs. Their fangs are more like short teeth but they do bite. Their poison can kill a human.

* They live in the ground, are nocturnal and reclusive. They hide under things like wood chips.

* When their young hatch, they are fully loaded with venom.

* Coral snakes eat other snakes and small reptiles.

* Their bite doesn't hurt or cause distress at first but within a few hours, it can kill so it is important to immediately go to a hospital if you are bit.

A man who works for a pest company probably gave me the best advise. He said if you see it again, it's living here. Otherwise it was just passing through...sure hope that's the case.

> Discuss this entry