Micrurus corallinus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Micrurus corallinus |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Micrurus |
| Species: |
M. corallinus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Micrurus corallinus (Merrem, 1820)
|
|
| Script error: The function "autoWithCaption" does not exist. | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Elaps corallinus |
|
Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".
The Coral Snake (scientific name: Micrurus corallinus) is a type of snake that lives in South America. You can find it in countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. This snake is known for its bright colors and is quite venomous. There are no different types (subspecies) of this particular coral snake.
Contents
What it's Called
This snake has many different names! People often call it the painted coral snake. In different places, it's known as cobra coral pintada, mboi-chumbe, vibora de coral, boicora, bocora, coral-verdadeira, ibiboboca, and mboi-yvyvovo.
Appearance and Habits
The painted coral snake is a medium-sized snake. It has three main colors on its body. It can grow up to about 98 centimeters (about 38 inches) long. However, most of these snakes are usually between 65 to 85 centimeters (about 25 to 33 inches) long.
This snake is active at night. It likes to live in coastal areas, hiding among leaves, under logs, or on stones. It eats lizards and other snakes. It also preys on worm lizards and caecilians.
Its head is black with a white or yellow band behind it. This band gets narrower towards its back. The snake's body has wide red rings. These red rings are separated by 15 to 27 black rings. These black rings usually have white edges. The tail has 3 to 8 black and yellow rings that go back and forth.
The snake has a slim body. Its tail is fairly short if it's a male. For females, the tail is very short. Its head is round and small. It is also a little bit separate from its neck. The eyes are small with round pupils. Its scales are smooth and shiny.
Where it Lives
This snake lives in South America. You can find it in Brazil, especially in states like Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, Bahia, Santa Catarina, and Espírito Santo. It also lives in northeastern Argentina, in a place called Misiones. Paraguay is another country where it can be found.
It mostly lives in the Amazon basin. This area has tropical forests that can lose their leaves or stay green all year. It lives from sea level up to about 500 meters (about 1,640 feet) high.
Reproduction
The painted coral snake lays eggs. This means it is an oviparous animal. A female snake can lay up to 15 eggs at one time.
About its Venom
The painted coral snake is not usually aggressive towards people. Accidents involving coral snakes are rare in Central and South America. They make up only about 1% of snake bite incidents. However, the venom from this snake is very strong.
The venom works by affecting the nerves and muscles. It can stop the signals between nerves and muscles. This can cause the muscles that help you breathe to stop working. This is why it's very important to be careful around these snakes. The snake usually produces about 3 milligrams of venom.
See also
In Spanish: Coral roja y negra para niños
