Oaxacan Coral Snake

The Oaxacan coral snake is limited to the Pacific versant of extreme southern Mexico.

Oaxacan Coral Snake (Micrurus ephippifer)

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

Distinguishing Features

Medium sized, tricolored coral snake, adults usually 50 to 75 cm long (max. 92+ cm). Head black with very broad orangish ring. Dorsal pattern usually with 13 to 29 fairly broad black rings alternating with narrower yellowish rings. Red rings usually heavily infused with a black "saddle" dorsally (often totally masked by black), only showing red on sides and belly. Thus, actual pattern is red-yellow-black-yellow-red (rybyr). Tail with 4 to 7 black rings.

Geographical Range

Limited to the Pacific versant of extreme southern Mexico.

Habitat

Found mainly in tropical deciduous forest, pine-oak forest, and oak manzanita forest, from near sea level to less than 2,300 m elevation.

Life History

Not much known. Probably mainly nocturnal and terrestrial (may burrow in loose soil or organic debris). Coral snakes usually are not aggressive. Probably prey mainly on various available local lizards, invertebrates (and maybe other smaller snakes). Probably oviparous with a usual clutch size of less than 15 eggs.

Comments

Not much known. Venom of most species of coral snakes is mainly neurotoxic. Some bites, but no serious human envenomations or fatalities due to this species documented, so far. Reported bites have been associated with attempts to capture or molest the snake.