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Roatan Coral Snake (Micrurus ruatanus)
Order: Squamata
Family: Elapidae (fixed front- fang venomous snakes)
Other common names: Roatan coral snake, coralillo, coral de la Isla de Roatan, coral roatanense, lim lin, silbara
Distinguishing Features
Small, fairly slender, 2 colored coral snake, adults usually 50 to 60 cm long (max. 68+ cm). Body with alternating 33 to 45 black and dark red rings; black rings may each vary in width. This is the only coral snake (or ring patterned snake) on Isla de Roatan (in the Departmento de Islas de Bahia of Honduras). Probably closely related to the mainland species M. nigrocinctus.
Geographical Range
Honduras (restricted to the Bay Island = Islas de la Bahia, Roatan Island)
Habitat
Found in tropical moist forest on the north and south sides of Isla de Roatan, which is about 65 km off the north coast of Honduras. Occurs from near sea level to nearly the highest point on the island (235 m elevation).
Life History
Mostly nocturnal (and maybe crepuscular), terrestrial (probably also burrows in loose sandy soil or vegetative litter), and reportedly very secretive. Not aggressive, and seldom reported to bite humans, even when handled. Probably oviparous (clutch size not reported, but probably less than 15 eggs). Probabaly preys mainly on local lizards, amphibians, other snakes, and invertebrates.
Comments
Not much known; reportedly considered nonvenomous by some inhabitants of the island on which it occurs. Venom of most coral snakes is mainly potently neurotoxic. Reported bites to humans have usually been on a toe or finger and occurred during the victim's attempt to catch or handle the snake. No well documented serious envenomations nor fatalities of humans due to bites by this species, so far.