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Ecuadorian Coral Snake (Micrurus bocourti)
Order: Squamata
Family: Elapidae (fixed front- fang venomous snakes)
Other common names: Ecuadorian Coral Snake or coral de triadas falsas
Distinguishing Features
Medium sized coral snake, adults usually 45 to 70 cm long (max. 82 cm). Top of head nearly entirely black; body usually mainly reddish, with a series of narrow/broad/narrow black rings separated by narrow yellow rings (rbybybr), 14 to 22 such triads on body. Black rings often less distinct or misshapen on belly. Tails bicolored with 5 to 8 alternating black and white (or yellow) rings. One pair of fixed upper front fangs.
Geographical Range
This species is limited to Pacific versant of Ecuador and northwestern Peru.
Habitat
Found mainly in coastal lowland dry forest, thorn forest, and lower montane dry forest (sometimes extending into more moist habitats); up to nearly 1,500 m elevation.
Life History
Not much known, but probably mainly nocturnal and terrestrial (and semi-burrowing in leaf litter and loose soil). Coral snakes usually are not aggressive, are oviparous (with less than 15 eggs per clutch), and mainly feed on available lizards, other snakes, frogs, and invertebrates (and rarely on small mammals).
Comments
Not much known for this species, but most 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 or toe or webbing between digits; and during attempts to catch or molest the snake.