Like that nickname....slitherkadee. I use a garden rake to spread such piles of cuttings before picking up....just in case!
Hetty commented that she'd heard that a coral snake's mouth is too small to get a good bite......but don't think that for a minute. Our skin is "elastic" enough that even a small coral can grab onto our hand or areas of loose skin.....the hand/finger probably the most common area of coral snake bites.. Unlike the pit vipers....the coral doesn't "strike" with fang-tips in the lead....but needs to bite/grab to get the venom into you. They are not as "aggressive" as most of the pit vipers....(and that is a relative comparison)....most snakes will avoid contact when possible. I've known herpetologists who were not afraid to handle corals....in a "non-threatening" manner....(so as not to make the coral think it was in danger). They are a beautiful snake and not surprisingly, are usually being handled by someone unaware of their danger....and probably too strongly to suit the snake....and the bite occurs.
