Micrurus mertensi | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Elapidae |
Genus: | Micrurus |
Species: | M. mertensi |
Binomial name | |
Micrurus mertensi Schmidt, 1936 | |
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Micrurus mertensi, also known commonly as Mertens's coral snake and the Peruvian desert coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. [2] The species is native to northwestern South America.
The specific name, mertensi, is in honor of German herpetologist Robert Mertens. [3] : 176
Micrurus mertensi is found in a variety of habitats, including forest, shrubland, and desert, at elevations from near sea level to 2,400 m (7,900 ft), usually near a river or stream. [1]