Sonoran coral snake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Micruroides euryxanthus |
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Micruroides
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euryxanthus
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The Micruroides is a type of venomous coral snake. It belongs to the snake family called Elapidae. This group has only one species, which is the Micruroides euryxanthus.
The Micruroides euryxanthus is often called the Sonoran coral snake. People also know it as the western coral snake or the Arizona coral snake. This snake lives only in northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States.
Contents
- What Does the Sonoran Coral Snake Look Like?
- Sonoran Coral Snake Venom
- Where Does the Sonoran Coral Snake Live?
- How Does the Sonoran Coral Snake Behave?
- How Does the Sonoran Coral Snake Defend Itself?
- What Does the Sonoran Coral Snake Eat?
- Reproduction and Life Cycle
- Where Can You Find the Sonoran Coral Snake?
- Types of Sonoran Coral Snakes
What Does the Sonoran Coral Snake Look Like?
Adult Sonoran coral snakes are usually about 11 to 24 inches (28 to 61 cm) long.
They have a special color pattern. Their bodies have wide rings of red and black. These wide rings are separated by thinner rings of white or yellow. The colors become lighter as they go towards the snake's belly. The snake's head is black. This black color goes back to the top of its head.
The snake's scales are smooth. They are arranged in 15 rows around the middle of its body. It has 214 to 241 belly scales. The scale near its tail opening is split into two parts. The scales under its tail are also split and there are 21 to 34 of them.
The Sonoran coral snake looks a bit like another snake, the Micrurus fulvius. However, the white or yellow rings on the Sonoran coral snake are wider. It also has fewer black rings on its tail, usually only two. The first red ring on its body is right behind the white or yellow ring on its head. In Micrurus fulvius, this first ring is black.
Sonoran Coral Snake Venom
The venom of the Sonoran coral snake is very strong. It is a neurotoxic venom, which means it affects the nervous system. Even though it is very powerful, no one has ever died from a bite from this snake.
Where Does the Sonoran Coral Snake Live?
The Sonoran coral snake lives in dry and partly dry areas. You can find it in many different habitats. It lives on flat plains and on the lower parts of mountains. It can be found from sea level up to about 5,800 feet (1,768 meters) high. In Arizona, it likes rocky desert areas.
How Does the Sonoran Coral Snake Behave?
The Sonoran coral snake usually stays hidden underground. It often comes out at night to hunt. You might also see it during or after it rains.
How Does the Sonoran Coral Snake Defend Itself?
When the Sonoran coral snake feels scared or threatened, it has a unique defense. It will hide its head under its body. Then, it raises and curls its tail tightly. While in this position, it makes a loud noise. It forcefully lets out gas from its cloaca, which is like a single opening for waste and eggs. This behavior is called "cloacal popping." It also creates a very bad smell to scare away predators.
What Does the Sonoran Coral Snake Eat?
The Arizona coral snake hunts and eats small snakes. It mostly preys on blind snakes, like Rena (snake). It also eats Sonora and Tantilla snakes. Sometimes, it will also eat small lizards, such as skinks.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Like other coral snakes from the New World, the Sonoran coral snake lays eggs. These snakes are called oviparous. A female snake can lay up to three eggs. When the baby snakes hatch, they are about 7 to 8 inches (18 to 20 cm) long.
Where Can You Find the Sonoran Coral Snake?
The Sonoran coral snake is found in central Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. Its range extends south to Mazatlán in southern Sinaloa, Mexico. There are also some groups of these snakes in other places. These include the Chocolate Mountains and La Paz County in western Arizona. You can also find them on Tiburón Island in the Gulf of California.
Types of Sonoran Coral Snakes
Scientists recognize three different types, or subspecies, of the Sonoran coral snake.
- Micruroides euryxanthus australis Zweifel & Norris, 1955
- Micruroides euryxanthus euryxanthus (Kennicott, 1860)
- Micruroides euryxanthus neglectus Roze, 1967
