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Pygmy Coral Snake (Micrurus dissoleucus)
Order: Squamata
Family: Elapidae (fixed front- fang venomous snakes)
Other common names: Pygmy coral snake, candelilla, candelilla barranquillera, candelilla panamena, candelilla santamartense, candelilla venezolana, coralillo, coralito, coral comun, coral llanera, gargantilla
Distinguishing Features
Small coral snake, adults usually 28 to 40 cm long (max. 65 cm). Head black, with a white ring just behind the eyes. Neck red. Body with broad red rings separated by a series of 6 to 11 triads with 3 black and 2 white rings (rbwbwbr), middle black ring of each set usually somewhat broader. Both white and red dorsal scales often edged with black. Tail short, stout, with less than 2 triads and black-tipped.
Geographical Range
Reported from central Panama east into the Choco region, the Caribbean coastal region, lower Magdalena Valley and north-central Colombia, and extends into northern Venezuela.
Habitat
Mainly found in tropical dry forest, deciduous forest, coastal scrub, lower montane dry and humid forests, llanos, and savannah (mainly semi-arid or seasonally dry areas). Found mainly below 500 m elevation.
Life History
Not well known. Probably mainly nocturnal, terrestrial (may also burrow in loose soil or leaf litter) and not aggressive toward humans. Apparently abundant throughout its range and often seen around human habitations. Reportedly eats available local lizards, invertebrates and other small snakes, and is oviparous with small clutch sizes (not reported, but likely less than 12 eggs).
Comments
Not well known. Most coral snakes have highly potent, mainly neurotoxic venom, which can be injected through grooved fixed upper front fangs. Due to the small size of their mouth, coral snake bites of humans usually occur on a finger, toe, or webbing between them and usually during an attempt to catch the snake.