Brazilian Coral Snake

About the Brazilian Coral Snake

The Brazilian coral snake (Micrurus decoratus), also commonly referred to as the decorated coral snake, and cobra coral decorada in Brazilian Portuguese, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil.

Micrurus decoratus has an alternating color pattern containing red, white and black. It has a triad color pattern with an external ring pattern that can vary among individuals. It is characterized by having black and white rings organized into 13–19 body triads. The black rings are narrower than the red; and the first triad, at the neck, is incomplete. The black central ring of each triad is typically the widest. The vivid color pattern is used to get the attention of predators, serving as a warning signal to indicate its venomous nature.

Males have 195–208 ventrals and 19–22 subcaudals, and females have 209–218 ventrals and 16–19 subcaudals. The average total length (tail-included) of this species is around 67 cm (26 in). Like all elapids, it has proteroglyphous ("front-fanged") dentition and a round pupil.

Micrurus decoratus is terrestrial and fossorial, foraging... Wikipedia →