Micrurus nigrocinctus


Micrurus nigrocinctus, commonly known as the Central American coral snake, is a species of a highly venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to southern Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. There are six recognized subspecies, including the nominate subspecies described here.

Common names

Common names for M. nigrocinctus include Central American coral snake, and in Spanish: serpiente-coralillo centroamericana, coral centroamericana, coralillo, gargantilla, salviara, limlim, babaspul, and coral macho.

Description

The Central American coral snake is capable of growing to a total length of, but most are closer to. It has smooth scales, a rounded head, and eyes with round pupils. Its color pattern can vary from two-colored to three-colored, with black, yellow and red banding. The snout is black. Halfway the head, there is usually a yellow ring or a red ring. Color pattern on the body consists of often fairly broad red bands separated by much narrower sets of yellow-black-yellow bands. The numbers of black bands on the body may vary from 10 to 24, and an additional 3 to 8 on the tail.

Geographic range

Micrurus nigrocinctus ranges from southern Mexico through Central America to northwestern Colombia, and the western Caribbean.

Habitat

M. nigrocinctus is mainly found in lowland rain forest, lowland dry forest, thorn forest, lower montane wet forest, and lower montane dry forest, usually at elevations up to.

Behavior

M. nigrocinctus is mainly a terrestrial snake that often dwells in burrows, leaf litter, or under logs. Like most coral snakes it is usually nocturnal, though it may also be active at dusk and dawn, and sometimes after rainfall. It feeds on other snakes, small lizards, amphibians, and invertebrates. While usually not aggressive, it will bite when molested or restrained.

Reproduction

M. nigrocinctus is oviparous.

Venom

The Central American coral snake's venom contains a strong neurotoxin, causing neuromuscular dysfunction. Its LD50 is 1.7 mg/kg.

Subspecies

There are six recognized subspecies of Micrurus nigrocinctus:
Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Micrurus.