According to Gram Research analysis, a specially-made sausage of beef and chicken liver was accepted by captive coral snakes 77% of the time and supported normal weight gain comparable to traditional snake prey. Researchers at Brazil’s Butantan Institute developed this alternative diet to solve the challenge of feeding coral snakes in captivity, since these snakes naturally eat other snakes, which are difficult to supply. While the sausage shows promise as a supplemental food, scientists emphasize it needs more testing before replacing traditional prey entirely.
Scientists at Brazil’s Butantan Institute developed a special sausage made from beef and chicken liver to feed coral snakes kept in captivity. This matters because coral snakes are used to produce life-saving antivenom, but feeding them their natural prey (other snakes) is difficult. The homemade sausage was accepted by snakes 77% of the time and helped them gain weight just as well as traditional food. While the sausage shows promise as a supplemental diet, researchers say more testing is needed to ensure it provides complete nutrition for long-term health.
Key Statistics
A 2026 study at the Butantan Institute found that a homemade sausage made from beef and chicken liver was accepted by captive coral snakes at a 77% rate, comparable to acceptance of traditional snake prey.
Coral snakes accounted for 1.7% of Brazil’s approximately 21,000 reported snakebites in 2025, yet their venom is highly toxic and requires immediate antivenom treatment, making captive breeding for antivenom production critical.
Snakes fed the experimental sausage diet gained weight at similar rates to snakes eating traditional prey, suggesting the alternative diet provided adequate nutritional support under the study conditions.
The sausage formulation included beef protein, chicken liver, essential and non-essential amino acids, and calcium carbonate, but researchers note that a complete nutritional assessment would require testing additional vitamins and minerals.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a specially-made sausage could be a good alternative food for coral snakes living in zoos and research facilities
- Who participated: Coral snakes (Micrurus corallinus) maintained at the Butantan Institute in Brazil; exact number of snakes not specified in the abstract
- Key finding: The homemade sausage was accepted by snakes 77% of the time, and snakes gained weight at similar rates whether eating sausage or traditional prey
- What it means for you: This research helps ensure that facilities can keep coral snakes healthy for antivenom production, which saves human lives. However, the sausage is still considered a supplement, not a complete replacement for natural food.
The Research Details
Researchers at the Butantan Institute created a special sausage recipe using beef protein, chicken liver, amino acids, and calcium. They fed this sausage to captive coral snakes alongside their regular food (other snakes and amphisbaenians, which are snake-like reptiles). The scientists tracked how often snakes ate the sausage, how much weight the snakes gained, and whether the sausage contained the right nutrients.
The study focused on practical feeding challenges: coral snakes naturally eat other snakes, which are hard to find and expensive to keep as food in captivity. By testing a manufactured alternative, researchers hoped to solve this supply problem while keeping the snakes healthy.
The sausage was analyzed for four key nutrients: fats, protein, calcium, and phosphorus. These are important for snake health, though the researchers acknowledge that a complete nutritional analysis would require testing for additional components.
Coral snakes produce some of the most toxic venom in the world, and their antivenom is essential for treating snakebite emergencies in tropical regions. Brazil reported about 21,000 snakebites in 2025, and while only 1.7% involved coral snakes, those cases are medical emergencies. To maintain a reliable supply of antivenom, facilities must keep coral snakes alive and healthy in captivity. This research directly supports that mission by solving a major feeding challenge.
The study was published in a peer-reviewed toxicology journal, which is appropriate for this topic. However, the sample size of snakes was not specified in the abstract, making it difficult to assess statistical power. The nutritional analysis was limited to four nutrients rather than a comprehensive evaluation. The researchers were transparent about these limitations and appropriately labeled the sausage as ‘supplemental’ rather than a complete replacement. The 77% acceptance rate is a concrete, measurable finding that adds credibility.
What the Results Show
The homemade sausage was accepted by captive coral snakes at a 77% rate, which is comparable to acceptance of traditional snake prey. This is significant because it shows the snakes found the sausage palatable and were willing to eat it regularly.
Snakes that ate the sausage gained weight at similar rates to snakes eating traditional prey. This suggests the sausage provided adequate calories and nutrients to support normal growth under the conditions tested.
The sausage contained measurable amounts of protein, fats, calcium, and phosphorus—all nutrients essential for snake health. However, the researchers note that a complete nutritional profile would require testing for additional vitamins and minerals not included in this analysis.
The study demonstrates that an artisanal (handmade) diet could reduce dependence on live prey, which has practical benefits for facility management and animal welfare. The use of readily available ingredients (beef and chicken) makes the sausage potentially cost-effective and sustainable for long-term use.
This appears to be one of the first studies to develop and test a manufactured diet specifically for captive coral snakes. While other reptile facilities have created alternative diets for various species, the unique feeding requirements of coral snakes (which naturally eat other snakes) made this a novel challenge requiring a custom solution.
The study did not specify how many snakes were tested, making it impossible to assess whether the results are reliable across a large population. The nutritional analysis was incomplete—only four nutrients were measured, while snakes likely require many more vitamins and minerals for optimal health. The study tested the sausage as a supplemental diet alongside traditional prey, not as a complete replacement, so we don’t know if snakes could thrive on sausage alone. Long-term health effects were not evaluated, so we don’t know if snakes eating this diet for years would develop any problems.
The Bottom Line
Facilities maintaining coral snakes for antivenom production may consider using this sausage as a supplemental feeding option to reduce dependence on live prey. However, it should not completely replace traditional food until further research validates its long-term safety and nutritional completeness. Confidence level: Moderate—the initial results are promising, but more comprehensive testing is needed.
Zoo and research facility managers who maintain coral snakes should pay attention to this research. Snake venom researchers and antivenom producers will find this directly relevant. The general public benefits indirectly through improved antivenom availability for snakebite emergencies. This research is not applicable to pet snake owners, as coral snakes are dangerous and not kept as pets.
Snakes showed acceptance and normal weight gain during the study period, suggesting benefits could be observed relatively quickly. However, long-term health effects would require monitoring over months or years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can coral snakes survive on artificial food instead of live snakes?
A 2026 study found that a beef and chicken liver sausage was accepted 77% of the time with comparable weight gain to live prey. However, researchers recommend it as a supplement, not a complete replacement, pending further long-term health studies.
Why is it important to keep coral snakes in captivity?
Coral snakes produce highly toxic venom used to make antivenom that saves lives after snakebites. Brazil reported about 21,000 snakebites in 2025, making reliable antivenom supply essential for emergency medical care.
What ingredients are in the coral snake sausage?
The sausage contains beef protein, chicken liver, essential and non-essential amino acids, and calcium carbonate. These ingredients were chosen to approximate the nutritional profile of the snakes’ natural prey.
Is this diet complete nutrition for coral snakes?
The study tested only four nutrients (protein, fats, calcium, phosphorus) and did not evaluate long-term health effects. Researchers consider it a promising supplement but recommend additional research before using it as a complete diet replacement.
How does this help with snakebite treatment?
By providing an easier way to feed captive coral snakes, this diet helps facilities maintain healthy breeding populations for antivenom production, ensuring adequate supply for treating the severe medical emergencies caused by coral snake envenomation.
Want to Apply This Research?
- For facilities using this diet: track weekly feeding acceptance rates (percentage of offered sausages consumed) and monthly weight measurements to monitor whether snakes maintain healthy growth patterns.
- Facility managers could implement a gradual transition protocol: introduce the sausage as 25% of the diet for two weeks, increase to 50% for two weeks, then adjust based on snake response and health metrics.
- Establish a long-term tracking system measuring: monthly weight gain, feeding frequency, behavioral changes, and any health issues. Compare snakes on mixed diets versus traditional prey-only diets to identify any long-term differences.
This research describes an experimental diet for captive coral snakes maintained at research facilities for antivenom production. Coral snakes are dangerous venomous reptiles and should never be kept as pets. This information is not intended for pet owners. Anyone bitten by a coral snake should seek immediate emergency medical care and antivenom treatment. The sausage diet described in this study is still considered experimental and supplemental; facilities should consult with herpetological experts before implementing it. This summary is for informational purposes and does not constitute veterinary or medical advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.