Erythrolamprus aesculapii


Erythrolamprus aesculapii, commonly known as the false coral, boicora, or falsa coral, is a colubrid snake endemic to South America.

Geographic range

It is found in the Amazon rainforest of South America.
It is also found on the island of Trinidad.

Habitat

It is often found in the leaf litter or burrowing in the soil in rain forests.

Diet

It feeds mainly on other snakes, including venomous species.

Venom

This snake is mildly venomous.

Mimicry

The brightly colored, ringed patterns of snakes of the genus Erythrolamprus resemble those of sympatric coral snakes of the genus Micrurus, and it has been suggested that this is due to mimicry. Whether this is classical Batesian mimicry, classical Müllerian mimicry, a modified form of Müllerian mimicry, or no mimicry at all, remains to be proven.

Subspecies

The following four subspecies are recognized, including the nominotypical subspecies: