Aquatic Coralsnake

About the Aquatic Coralsnake

The aquatic coral snake (Micrurus surinamensis) is a semiaquatic species of coral snake, a venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to northern South America. Local common names for Micrurus surinamensis include cobra coral, coral de agua, coralillo, coral venenosa, culebra del agua, naca-naca, naca-naca de agua, boichumbeguaçu, himeralli, itinkia, kraalslang, koraalslang, krarasneke, kraka sneki, and wata mio.

Micrurus surinamensis is one of the heaviest and most robust coral snakes. Adults have an average total length (tail included) of 0.8–1.0 m (2.6–3.3 ft), with a maximum verified total length of 1.35 m (4.4 ft), although there are unproven reports of 1.8 m (5.9 ft) specimens.

The species is characterized by the coloration of its head, which is mainly red, with black scale edging. The head is large, with a long snout, and eyes and nostrils located more dorsally than in other coral snakes. The dorsal scales are smooth (non-keeled) and shiny, and arranged in 15 rows. Supra-anal keels are present in males, but little developed. The body has wide red rings that are separated by 5–8 triads. Each triad consists of a wide middle... Wikipedia →