South American coral snake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids South American coral snake |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Micrurus |
| Species: |
M. lemniscatus
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| Binomial name | |
| Micrurus lemniscatus (Linnaeus, 1758)
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The South American coral snake, also known as Micrurus lemniscatus, is a type of venomous snake. It belongs to the family called Elapidae. This snake lives only in South America.
Contents
About the South American Coral Snake
This snake is thin and has very bright colors. Adult snakes are usually about 60–90 cm (24–35 in) long. The longest one ever found was 145 cm (57 in)!
What it Looks Like
The snake's snout, which is its nose area, is black. Right in front of its eyes, it has a thin white stripe. Then, there's a wider black stripe that goes across its eyes. Its eyes are small, and the rest of its head is red.
The body of the snake has wide red rings. These red rings are separated by groups of three black and white rings. There can be between seven and 17 of these black and white groups. Its tail has two black groups of rings that switch with white rings.
How it Behaves
Like many other coral snakes, the South American coral snake is nocturnal. This means it is active mostly at night. It lives on land and likes to dig in loose soil or dead leaves.
This snake is not usually aggressive towards people. However, it will attack if it feels it needs to defend itself.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The South American coral snake lays eggs. This is called being oviparous. A female snake might lay up to 20 eggs at one time.
What it Eats
This snake mainly eats other animals with long bodies. These include freshwater eels, a type of fish called gymnotiform fishes, caecilians (which are like legless amphibians), lizards, and even other snakes.
Where it Lives
You can find the South American coral snake in many countries in South America. These include Argentina, northern Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, eastern Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, eastern Peru, Suriname, Trinidad, and Venezuela.
Its Home (Habitat)
This snake lives in many different places across South America. It likes humid forests and lowland forests. You can also find it in open savannas and forests along rivers.
It lives in low-lying areas that sometimes flood. It can even be found in places where trees have been cut down or near where people live, especially in wet areas or close to water sources. It lives from sea level up to about 1,000 m (3,300 ft) high.
About its Venom
The venom of the South American coral snake is very strong. It is a type of neurotoxin. This means it affects the nervous system and can stop muscles from working properly. If a person is bitten, it's important to get medical help right away.
See also
In Spanish: Micrurus lemniscatus para niños
