Black-Headed Coral Snake

The Black-Headed coral snake is limited to Manaus, Brazil, Guyana, & Suriname.

Black-Headed Coral Snake (Micrurus averyi)

Order: Squamata
Family: Elapidae (fixed front- fang venomous snakes)
Other common names: Black-headed coral snake, cobra-coral cabeca preta, coral cabeza negra

Distinguishing Features

Small to medium sized, thin bodied coral snake, w/ max. adult length 70 cm. Body w/ 8 to 13 very narrow black rings (edeged on each side w/ a thin white/yellow ring or row of spots) separated by very broad (wide) red rings (rybyr); tail is black w/ 4-7 more narrow "yby" bands. Has a pair of fixed upper front fangs.

Geographical Range

Limited to Manaus, Brazil, Guyana, & Suriname

Habitat

Mainly found in wetter forested areas from sea level up to at least 600 m elevation.

Life History

Not much known. Most coral snakes are mainly terrestrial, partly fossorial (burrowing in leaf litter or soft soil), and usually are nonaggressive. Most species prey on locally available lizards, invertebrates or other small snakes. Most spp. are oviparous w/ typical clutch size less than 15 eggs.

Comments

Not much known for this species. Most species of coral snakes have highly potent neurotoxic venom. Due to the small size of their mouth, coral snakes' bites to humans usually occur on a finger, toe or on webbing between such digits; and occur during attempts to catch or molest the snake.