Santander Coral Snake

The Santander coral snake is Limited to drainage areas of the Rio Suarez and Rio Lebrija in the eastern Andes within eastern Colombia.

Santander Coral Snake (Micrurus sangilensis)

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

Distinguishing Features

Small tricolored coral snake, adults usually 45 to 55 cm long (max. 60 cm). Head black, with yellow crescent shaped posterior band. Body patterned with broad red rings alternating with 17 to 22 triads, each with 3 black (middle black ring widest) and 2 yellow rings (rbybybr). Tail with 5 to 10 black rings separated by yellow rings suffused with black.

Geographical Range

Limited to drainage areas of the Rio Suarez and Rio Lebrija in the eastern Andes within eastern Colombia.

Habitat

Found mainly in dry tropical forest, lower montane dry forest, and lower montane humid forest. Occurs at 1,018 to 1,737 m elevation.

Life History

Not much known. Most coral snake species are mainly nocturnal or crepuscular, terrestrial, and burrow in loose soil or litter. They are usually not aggressive, but many will bite if restrained or molested. Most coral snake species (all reported so far) are oviparous (with usual clutch sizes of less than 15 eggs), and prey on other snakes, lizards, amphibians, and invertebrates.

Comments

Not much known. Most species of coral snakes have potent neurotoxic venom which can be injected through a pair of grooved, fixed, upper front fangs. Due to the small size of their mouths, coral snakes' bites to humans usually occur on a finger or toe, and usually during attempts to catch or molest the snake. No well documented serious envenomations or deaths of humans due to bites by this species, so far.

May be related to M. bocourti.