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Venezuelan Coral Snake (Micrurus isozonus)
Order: Squamata
Family: Elapidae (fixed front- fang venomous snakes)
Other common names: Venezuelan coral snake, culebra coral, acavai, cobra-coral de faixes iguais, cobra de franjas iguales, coralillo, huaymacaicha, coral norteno
Distinguishing Features
Medium sized to large, tricolored coral snake, adult usually 50 to 70 cm long (max. 150 cm); Head with snout varying from grey-white to nearly all black; remainder of head is red. Body pattern usually consists of broad red to rusty-red rings separated by 10 to 14 black triads (bwb) with the black and white bands each about equal in width. Tail with less than 2 complete black triads.
Geographical Range
Limited to northern South America.
Habitat
Found mainly in semiarid and seasonally dry tropical deciduous forest, tropical thorn woodlands, and forests along watercourses. Commonly found in open or semiopen secondary growth and pasture. Occurs from near sea level to 1,400 m elevation.
Life History
Widespread and fairly common throughout its range, mainly nocturnal and terrestrial (will burrow in soft soil or litter). Although most coral snakes are nonaggressive, this species will often raise and curl its tail and vigorously defend itself if disturbed. Oviparous usually with 6 to 17 eggs in a clutch. Mainly preys on other snakes, lizards, amphibians and sometimes on invertebrates.
Comments
Has highly potent neurotoxic venom which can be injected through a pair of grooved, fixed front fangs. Due to their small mouths, most coral snakes' bites to humans usually occur on a finger or toe and usually when victim tried to catch or molest the snake. Numerous human envenomations and some fatalities due to bites by this rather large species have been reported.