Blue Malayan Coral Snake
Calliophis bivirgatus
A striking Southeast Asian elapid with an iridescent blue-black body and a bright red head and tail.
- Adult length
- 1.0-1.8 m (3.3-6 ft)
- Range
- Southeast Asia (Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, Thailand)
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Overview
The blue Malayan coral snake is one of the most visually distinctive elapids in the world, sporting a deep iridescent blue body contrasted with a vivid red head and tail. It ranges across Southeast Asian rainforests.
How to identify it
- Long, slender body with smooth scales
- Iridescent blue-black dorsal coloration with two thin pale lateral stripes
- Bright red head and red-tipped tail
- Small head barely wider than the neck
- Round pupils
Its unmistakable coloration makes it one of the easier coral snakes to identify at a glance within its range.
Habitat & range
Inhabits lowland and hill rainforest, often in leaf litter, under logs, and in loose soil near streams. Found from the Malay Peninsula through Sumatra and Borneo, into parts of southern Thailand.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal and secretive, rarely encountered in the open. When threatened, it may display its red tail as a warning. Feeds mainly on other snakes, including small snake species. Reproduction is oviparous, though details of clutch size remain relatively poorly documented due to its secretive habits.
Frequently asked questions
How big does the blue Malayan coral snake get?
Adults typically range from 1.0 to 1.8 m (3.3-6 ft).
Where is the blue Malayan coral snake found?
It is native to the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and southern Thailand.
What does the blue Malayan coral snake eat?
It preys mainly on other snakes.
Blue Malayan Coral Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Blue Malayan Coral Snake.
