Micrurus nigrocinctus (Girard, 1854)

Common Name & Size

This species, commonly known as the Central American coral snake, can reach a total length including the tail of 115 cm (45 in), though most individuals grow closer to 65 cm (26 in) in total length.

Scale & Head Features

It has smooth scales, a rounded head, and eyes with round pupils.

General Color Pattern

Its color pattern varies between two-colored and three-colored forms, all with black, yellow, and red banding.

Snout Coloration

The snout is always black.

Head Ring Coloration

On the head, a colored ring is typically present at the midpoint: this ring is yellow in three-colored specimens, and red in bi-colored specimens.

Body Band Arrangement

Body color pattern consists of generally fairly broad red bands, which are separated by much narrower groups of yellow-black-yellow bands.

Black Band Count

The number of black bands on the body ranges from 10 to 24, with an additional 3 to 8 black bands on the tail.

Geographic Range

The geographic range of Micrurus nigrocinctus extends from southern Mexico through Central America (excluding Belize) to northwestern Colombia and the western Caribbean.

Habitat & Elevation

M. nigrocinctus primarily inhabits lowland rain forest, lowland dry forest, thorn forest, lower montane wet or moist forest, and lower montane dry forest, and usually occurs at elevations up to 1,300 m (4,300 ft).

Reproduction Mode

Micrurus nigrocinctus is oviparous, meaning it reproduces by laying eggs.