Cerrado Coral Snake

The Cerrado coral snake is found on northeastern Argentina.

Cerrado Coral Snake (Micrurus frontalis)

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

Distinguishing Features

Large, tricolored coral snake, adults usually 70 to 100 cm long (max. 141 cm); Head color variable, with considerable white pigment on top of the snout. Body pattern usually consists of fairly broad red bands separated by a series of 10 to 15 narrower black triads with 3 black separated by 2 narrower white bands (rbwbwbr). Dorsal red scales usually tipped with black, may look 'dusky.' Tail with less than 2 complete triads.

Geographical Range

May be present on northeastern Argentina, but no specimens confirming that, so far.

Habitat

Found mainly in lower montane wet forest, tropical and subtropical deciduous forest, and savannas, temperate forest, sandy or rocky areas, and secondary growth, such as pastures or farm lands; often found near swamps and streams. Most common in lowlands; mainly a lowland species, found from sea level to 700 m elevation.

Life History

Secretive and mainly nocturnal; mainly terrestrial or fossorial (burrowing in loose soil or leaf litter). Responsible for many coral snake bites in southeastern South America. Usually are not aggressive; most bites occur during attempts to capture the snake. Oviparous (usual egg numbers/ clutch not reported), probably prey on available local invertebrates, lizards and smaller snakes. Cannibalism by this species has been reported.

Comments

Primarily neurotoxic (at post-synaptic junctions); also has myonecrotic factor(s). Serious human envenomations and deaths have been reported resulting from bites by this species (but identification to species is sometimes difficult within this "species group," even for professional herpetologists).