Micrurus nigrocinctus

Micrurus nigrocinctus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Micrurus
Species: M. nigrocinctus
Binomial name
Micrurus nigrocinctus
(Girard, 1854)
Synonyms
  • Elaps nigrocinctus
    Girard, 1854

Micrurus nigrocinctus, commonly known as the Central American coral snake, is a species of venomous elapid snake that ranges from southern Mexico through Central America (except Belize) to northwestern Colombia.[1] There are six recognized subspecies, including the nominate subspecies described here.[2]

Common names

Central American coral snake. In Spanish: serpiente-coralillo centroamericana,[2] coral centroamericana, coralillo, gargantilla, salviara, limlim, babaspul, coral macho.[1]

Description

The Central American coral snake is capable of growing to 115 cm (45 in), but most are closer to 65 cm (26 in). They have smooth scales, a rounded head, and eyes with round pupils. Its color pattern can vary from two-colored to three-colored, with black, yellow and red banding.[1] The snout is black. Halfway the head, there is usually a yellow ring (in three-colored specimens) or a red ring (in bi-colored specimens). Color pattern on the body consists of often fairly broad red bands separated by much narrower sets of yellow-black-yellow bands. The numbers of black bands on the body may vary from 10 to 24, and an additional 3 to 8 on the tail.

Geographic range

Micrurus nigrocinctus ranges from southern Mexico through Central America (except Belize) to northwestern Colombia, and the west Caribbean.

Habitat

M. nigrocinctus is mainly found in lowland rain forest, lowland dry forest, thorn forest, lower montane wet (or moist) forest, and lower montane dry forest, usually at elevations up to 1,300 m (4,300 ft).[1]

Behavior

M. nigrocinctus is mainly a terrestrial snake that often dwells in burrows, leaf litter, or under logs. Like most coral snakes it is usually nocturnal, though it may also be active at dusk and dawn, and sometimes after rainfall. It feeds on other snakes, small lizards, amphibians, and invertebrates.[1] While usually not aggressive, it will bite when molested or restrained.[1]

Venom

The Central American coral snake's venom contains a strong neurotoxin, causing neuromuscular dysfunction.[1]

Subspecies

There are six recognized subspecies of Micrurus nigrocinctus:

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AFBMP. "Micrurus nigrocinctus". AFBMP Living Hazards Database. AFBMP. Retrieved 2010-08-05.
  2. 1 2 "Micrurus nigrocinctus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 5 August 2010.

Further reading

Wikispecies has information related to: Micrurus nigrocinctus
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Micrurus.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 4/11/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.