Merida Coral Snake

The Merida coral snake is found on the western slope of the Andes, in Venezuela.

Merida Coral Snake (Micrurus meridensis)

Order: Squamata
Family: Elapidae (fixed front- fang venomous snakes)
Other common names: Merida pygmy coralsnake, candelilla meridena

Distinguishing Features

Small, slender, 3 colored coral snake. The single known specimen (apparently an adult) is 39 cm long. Body has a relatively large number of rings (13 to 18 triads of bwbwb), many of the rings are narrow, most have irregular edges, and some are "broken" on the belly. Red rings are about 1/2 as wide as each triad. Most of the red scales have small black tips

Geographical Range

Found on the western slope of the Andes, in Venezuela.

Habitat

Found in lower montane dry forest on the western slope of the Andes, in Venezuela, at about 900 m elevation. Known from only one specimen (the type).

Life History

Not much known. Probably terrestrial, mainly nocturnal, and oviparous. Probably similar in hehavior and habits to the closely related species M. dissoleucus.

Comments

Nothing known. Presumably neurotoxic like that of other species of coral snakes. No reports of human envenomations or fatalities.