Catamayo Coral Snake

The Catamayo coral snake is found in southern Ecuador and northern Peru.

Catamayo Coral Snake (Micrurus catamayensis)

Order: Squamata
Family: Elapidae (fixed front- fang venomous snakes)
Other common names: Catamayo coral snake, coral, coral catamayense

Distinguishing Features

Medium sized tricolored coral snake, adults usually 45 to 65 cm long (max. 91 cm). Top of head, snout and chin black; body pattern consisting of broad red rings (often with some black pigment present) separated by 22 to 32 broad black rings, each narrowly bordered on each side with a narrow band of white or yellow (rwbwr). Tail with 5 to 9 alternating wide black and narrow white rings.

Geographical Range

Found in southern Ecuador and northern Peru.

Habitat

Mainly found in dry scrub and subhumid gallery forest at 1,000 to 1,800 m elevation.

Life History

Not well known. Most coral snakes are usually nocturnal, terrestrial (or burrow in loose soil or forest litter) and are nonaggressive. They usually prey on available invertebrates, lizards or other snakes, and are oviparous (with less than 15 eggs in a clutch).

Comments

Not much known, but most coral snake venoms are primarily neurotoxic. Because they have rather small mouths, bites of humans usually occur on a fingr, toe or adjacent webbing. Bites also usually occur while trying the catch the snake.