Red-tailed coral snake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red-tailed coral snake |
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Elaps mipartitus Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854 (basionym) |
The Micrurus mipartitus, also known as the red-tailed coral snake or many-banded coral snake, is a type of colorful snake. It belongs to the Elapidae family, which includes many venomous snakes. You can find this snake in parts of South and Central America. The red-tailed coral snake is often seen in farm areas in Colombia. Its venom is very strong and affects the nerves.
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What it Looks Like
The red-tailed coral snake has a body shaped like a cylinder. It can grow to be quite long, up to about 140 centimeters (about 4.5 feet). Its head is round, and its eyes are fairly small.
This snake has many black rings around its body. There can be anywhere from 34 to 84 of these rings. Between the black rings, you'll see yellow or white bands. The second ring on its head is red. Also, three or four rings on its tail are red, standing out from the white or yellow bands.
Where it Lives and What it Does
The red-tailed coral snake is most active during twilight (dusk and dawn) and at night. It is known as a crepuscular and nocturnal animal. When there isn't much rain, these snakes might hide underground, sometimes several centimeters deep.
During times of heavy rain, you can find them on the ground surface. They also like places where there are lots of fallen leaves. These coral snakes live in different kinds of forests, from dry tropical forests to foggy forests. They are often found near human homes in farming areas.
What it Eats
The M. mipartitus mainly eats other snakes. Some of the snakes they hunt include Atractus werneri and A. sanctamartae. They also eat lizards like Lepidoblepharis sanctaemartae. Other prey includes amphisbaenids (which are legless lizards), frogs, and caecilians (which are worm-like amphibians).
Reproduction
This snake lays eggs, which means it is oviparous. Scientists have recorded finding about eight white eggs at a time. Each egg is about 2.9 centimeters long and weighs around 3.1 grams.
The eggs take about 73 to 87 days to hatch. When the baby snakes hatch, they are usually between 20 and 21.9 centimeters long. They weigh about 3.3 grams.
Where to Find It
The red-tailed coral snake lives in Central America and South America. Its exact range can vary depending on the source. Some older records suggested it was in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. However, those sightings might have actually been another snake, the M. multifasciatus.
The IUCN Redlist says this snake is found in Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. It might also be in Peru. It has also been reported in Brazil, specifically in the Rondônia region.
About Its Venom
The red-tailed coral snake has a very powerful venom that affects the nervous system. This type of venom is called neurotoxic. It can cause muscles to stop working properly.
After a bite, a person might feel local pain and tingling in minutes. In more serious cases, nerve problems can start within 30 minutes to 1-2 hours. These problems can include:
- Drooping eyelids (ptosis)
- Difficulty speaking clearly (dysarthria)
- Weakness in the arms and legs
- Trouble walking
- Increased salivation
- Feeling very sleepy
- Difficulty breathing, which can lead to breathing stopping
- Severe weakness or paralysis in all four limbs
See also
In Spanish: Micrurus mipartitus para niños
