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Pygmy Black Coral Snake (Leptomicrurus scutiventris)
Order: Squamata
Family: Elapidae (fixed front- fang venomous snakes)
Other common names: Pygmy slender coral snake, pygmy black-backed coral snake, coral, cobra-coral preta pequena, coral negra pequena
Distinguishing Features
Small, slender, dark coralsnake, adults usually 30 40 cm long (max. 44.5 cm). Head and body uniformly dark brown to black dorsally, except for a pale (white, yellow, or reddish) ring at the back of the head & another near the tail tip. Belly dark brown w/ 24 to 38 rounded yellow, orange or red blotches; these blotches sometimes have blackish speckling. Has a pair of fixed upper front fangs and a relatively short tail.
Geographical Range
The Pygmy Slender coral snake is found in the Northwestern Amazon basin.
Habitat
Found mainly in pluvial forests & lower montane wet forests of the Northwestern Amazon basin. Mainly a lowland species, but has been reported up to 1,200 m elevation.
Life History
No data. Coral snakes usually are nonaggressive; most bites occur during attempts to capture the snake.
Comments
Mainly neurotoxic venom which can be injected through grooved, fixed front fangs. Due to the small size of their mouth, bites to humans by this species usually occur on a toe or finger. No serious human envenomation or fatality reported as caused by this species, so far.