Variable Coral Snake

The Variable coral snake is found mainly in Atlantic drainage of Southeastern Mexico (including most of the Yucatan), most of Belize, northeastern Guatemala, and the northwestern tip of Honduras.

Variable Coral Snake (Micrurus diastema)

Order: Squamata
Family: Elapidae (fixed front- fang venomous snakes)
Other common names: Variable coral snake, cantil coral, gargantilla

Distinguishing Features

Medium sized coral snake, adults usually 60 to 75 cm long (max. about 90 cm). Snout and head usually black with broad yellow ring behind the eyes. Body pattern extremely variable, even within subspecies. Usually with broad to very broad reddish rings separated by up to 62 black rings (rarely, no black rings). Black or yellow rings may be broken dorsally or ventrally. Red ventrals often with black spots. Red dorsal scales often black tipped.

Geographical Range

Found mainly in Atlantic drainage of Southeastern Mexico (including most of the Yucatan), most of Belize, northeastern Guatemala, and the northwestern tip of Honduras.

Habitat

Mainly found in tropical rain forest, tropical evergreen forest, tropical deciduous forest, lower cloud forest, and pine-oak forest. Occurs from sea level to 1,350 m elevation.

Life History

Not much known. Most coral snakes are mainly nocturnal & terrestrial (often burrow in loose soil and litter) and usually are not aggressive. Mainly eat locally available lizards, invertebrates and other small snakes. Probably oviparous with less than 15 eggs in a clutch.

Comments

Not well known. Most coral snakes have mainly neurotoxic venom. This species is a major cause of coral snake bites in Mexico and Guatemala, due to it often being confused with non-venomous look-a-likes. Most bites occur, mainly on fingers or toes, during attempts to capture or molest the snake.