Brazilian coral snake

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Brazilian coral snake
Micrurus decoratus 108362564 (cropped).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Micrurus
Species:
M. decoratus
Binomial name
Micrurus decoratus
(Jan, 1858)
Micrurus decoratus map.jpg

Micrurus decoratus, more commonly referred to as the Brazilian Coral Snake is a member of Elapidae, a venomous snake family. [2] The coral snake genus Micrurus contains about 50 different species. Micrurus decoratus is restricted to the Atlantic Forest of southeast Brazil. [3]

Contents

Description

Micrurus decoratus have a triad color pattern with an external ring pattern that can vary among individuals. It is characterized by having black rings organized into 13-19 body triads. The black rings are shorter than the red and the first triad, at the neck, is incomplete. [4] The central ring is typically the widest and they have an alternating pattern containing red, white, and black. Their color pattern is used to get the attention of predators, serving as a warning signal to indicate their venomous nature. [3]

The average length of this species is around 67 cm (26 in). Like all elapids, they possess proteroglyphous ("front fanged") dentition and a rounded pupil shape. [3]

Biology

Defensive behavior

M. decoratus and other Micrurus species possess similar defensive behaviors. The color pattern is used as the first warning signal that they are dangerous. If the predator continues, they display defensive moves such as tail exhibition and dorso-ventral body flattening. [3] Tail behaviors could include moving it back and forth to try and deter predators. Dorso-ventral body flattening is when the organism will flatten its body from the top to bottom to make itself as flat and wide as possible. This gives the appearance that they are larger than they actually are, again as a defensive mechanism to intimidate predators. [3]

Diet

Typically coral snakes feed on elongated vertebrates such as amphisbaenians, snakes, legless lizards, and caecilians. [5] Due to M. decoratus' distribution being restricted to the Atlantic Forest of southeastern and southern Brazil, they were found to typically only prey on amphisbaenians and caecilians. [5]

References

  1. ↑ Silveira, A.L.; Prudente, A.L. da C.; Argôlo , A.J.S.; Abrahão, C.R.; Nogueira, C. de C.; Barbo, F.E.; Costa, G.C.; Pontes, G.M.F.; Colli, G.R.; Zaher, H. el D.; Borges-Martins, M.; Martins, M.R.C.; Oliveira , M.E.; Passos, P.G.H.; Bérnils, R.S.; Sawaya, R.J.; Cechin, C.T.Z.; da Costa, T.B.G. (2019). "Micrurus decoratus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T15202852A123739864. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T15202852A123739864.en . Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  2. ↑ "Micrurus decoratus". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Marques, O.A.V. (2002). "Natural history of the coral snake Micrurus decoratus (Elapidae) from the Atlantic Forest in southeast Brazil, with comments on possible mimicry" (PDF). Amphibia-Reptilia. 23 (2): 228–232. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-12-11.
  4. ↑ Castellari Gonzalez, R.; Silva-Soares, T.; Marcial de Castro, T.; Silveira Bernils, R. (2014). "Review of the geographic distribution of Micrurus decoratus (Jan, 1858) (Serpentes: Elapidae)" (PDF). Phyllomedusa. 13 (1): 29–39.
  5. 1 2 Vrcibradic, D.; Da Costa Siqueira, C.; Lima Silveira, A.; Almeida-Santos, M.; Rocha, C.F.D. (2012). "Micrurus decoratus (Decorated Coralsnake). Diet" (PDF). Herpetological Review. 43 (3): 495.


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