Micrurus corallinus (Merrem, 1820)

Species Introduction

Description and behavior: The painted coral snake (Micrurus corallinus) is a medium-sized, tri-colored snake.

Size

It can reach a maximum length of 98 cm (39 in), though most individuals measure between 65 and 85 cm (26–33 in).

Activity & Microhabitat

This species is nocturnal, and is typically found in coastal habitats among leaf litter, on logs, and on stones.

Diet

Its diet consists of lizards, other snakes (including colubrids), amphisbaenids, and gymnophions.

Head Coloration

The head is black, with a white or yellow band across the back of the head that narrows strongly along the dorsal surface.

Body Coloration

The body features wide red rings separated by a series of 15 to 27 (usually 17 to 21) wide and narrow black rings that have white borders.

Tail Coloration

The tail has 3 to 8 alternating black and yellow rings.

Body & Head Shape

This species has a slender body; males have a moderately short tail, while females have a very short tail. The head is small, round, and only slightly distinct from the neck.

Eye & Scale Traits

The eyes are slightly small with round pupils. Dorsal scales are smooth and shiny, with no apical punctuation.

Male Morphology

Males lack supra-anal keels.

Geographic Range

Distribution and habitat: Its range covers parts of South America, including Brazil (states of Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, Bahia, Santa Catarina, and Espírito Santo), northeastern Argentina (Misiones Province), and Paraguay.

Habitat & Elevation

It occurs primarily in the Amazon basin, in tropical deciduous and evergreen forests, at elevations from sea level up to 500 m.

Reproduction

Reproduction: This species is oviparous, and females can lay up to 15 eggs per clutch.