Bogert's Coral Snake

The Bogert's coral snake is limited to southwestern Mexico (Oaxaca).

Bogert's Coral Snake (Micrurus bogerti)

Order: Squamata
Family: Elapidae (fixed front- fang venomous snakes)
Other common names: Bogert's coral snake, coral, coralillo, coralillo castanero

Distinguishing Features

Small coral snake, adults usually 45 to 60 cm long (max. 77 cm). Body mainly red, with a series of 16 to 19 black rings, each narrowly bordered with yellow (rybyr), black neck (nuchal) ring 6 to 7 scales wide (long). Snout black, tail with alternating wide black and narrow yellow rings.

Geographical Range

Limited to southwestern Mexico (Oaxaca), from near sea level to 400 m elevation.

Habitat

Tropical deciduous forest and dry coastal thorn and scrub forest.

Life History

Not much known. Coral snakes usually are nocturnal, terrestrial (sometimes burrow in loose soil or litter) and are nonaggressive. Probably mainly prey on available small lizards, invertebrates, or other small snales, and are oviparous with typically less than 15 eggs in a clutch.

Comments

Not much known, but coral snake venom is mainly neurotoxic. Because of their small mouth, coral snake bites of humans occur usually on a toe, finger, or webbing between such digits; and usually during attempts to catch or bother the snake.