What does the bitten area (bite site) look like?
The Coral snake does not dart or strike like rattlesnakes and other pit vipers, but delivers venom slowly by hanging on, using a chewing technique. Blood at the puncture site signals that the skin has been broken and a possible envenomation has occurred. The mild signs around the bitten area and the delayed onset of symptoms (up to 18 hours) often lead people to believe that no damage has been done. Patients must be observed for a minimum of 24 hours in an intensive care unit.
