Tuxtian Coral Snake

The Tuxtian coral snake is limited primarily to the southern slopes of Veracruz, Mexico.

Tuxtian Coral Snake (Micrurus limbatus)

Order: Squamata
Family: Elapidae (fixed front- fang venomous snakes)
Other common names: Tuxtlan coral snake, coralillo, coral de anillado de Tuxtla

Distinguishing Features

Medium sized 2 colored coral snake, adults usually 55 to 65 cm long (max. 73+ cm). Front of head black, remainder reddish or orange. Body color reddish to orange, with 14 to 45 irregular or interrupted black rings (may be reduced to dorsal blotches in some specimens). Most dorsal red scales with black pigment bordering the back half, including the tip. Tail orange or reddish with 4 or 5 black rings. One pair of grooved, fixed upper front fangs.

Geographical Range

Limited primarily to the southern slopes of Veracruz, Mexico.

Habitat

Mainly found in lowland rainforest and lower montane wet forest (generally wetter forested areas); often under logs and/or in leaf litter. Occurs at low and moderate (150 to 1,050 m) elevations.

Life History

Not well known, but mainly nocturnal, also active at dusk and/or dawn (or after rain). Mainly terrestrial and burrows in loose soil and leaf litter. Most species of coral snakes are usually not aggressive and most bites occur during attempts to capture the snake, but this species will bite readily if restrained. Oviparous with usually 3 to 14 eggs in a clutch. Mainly preys on other local snakes, lizards, possibly also frogs and some invertebrates.

Comments

Not much known. Venom of most coral snakes is mainly potently neurotoxic (sometimes with cytotoxic or cardiotoxic factors). Even the limited number of reports of bites and/or envenomations of humans by this species are not well documented, and no human fatalities have been reported, so far.