Blotched Coral Snake

The Blotched coral snake is limited to southeastern Mexico.

Blotched Coral Snake (Micrurus bernadi)

Order: Squamata
Family: Elapidae (fixed front- fang venomous snakes)
Other common names: Blotched coral snake, coral, coral ensillado, coralillo

Distinguishing Features

Medium sized bicolored coral snake, adults usually 55 to 65 cm long (max. 82 cm). Body mainly reddish (sometimes orange) w/ 24 to 42 dark brown to black dorsal spots or rounded crossbands (often divided by red scales at middorsal line). These bands sometimes go down the sides, but do not form complete rings. The head is nearly entirely dark brown or black. Tail usually w/ yellow rings alternating w/ 5 to 12 black rings. Rarely, some yellow scales on head.

Geographical Range

Limited to southeastern Mexico.

Habitat

Found mainly in cloud forest and tropical evergreen forest, at 1,400 to 2,100 m elevation, but rarely as low as 50 m elevation.

Life History

Not much known; reportedly this species is very uncommon. Coral snakes usually are nonaggressive. Mainly prey on locally available small lizards, invertebrates or other small snakes (may be cannabilistic). Most coral snakes are oviparous w/ typically less than 15 eggs in a clutch.

Comments

Not much known. Most coral snakes' venom is mainly potently neurotoxic. Because their mouths are so small, most coral snake bites of humans are on a finger, toe, or webbing between such digits; and usually occurs during attempts to catch or molest the snake.