Bocourt's Coral Snake
Micrurus bocourti
A vividly ringed true coral snake native to the Pacific lowlands of Colombia and Ecuador.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.6-1.0 m (2-3.3 ft)
- Range
- Pacific coastal Colombia and Ecuador
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Overview
Bocourt's Coral Snake is a true elapid coral snake restricted to humid forests along the Pacific coast of Colombia and Ecuador. Like other Micrurus species, it carries potent neurotoxic venom delivered through small fixed front fangs.
It is rarely encountered due to its fossorial and secretive habits, spending most of its life hidden underground or under forest litter.
How to identify it
- Bold triads or rings of red, black, and white/yellow encircling the body
- Small head barely wider than the neck, with a blunt snout
- Smooth, glossy scales
- Round pupils
- Short tail relative to body length
- Separated from mimics by complete body rings (not just dorsal bands) and the fixed short fangs of a true elapid
Habitat & range
Inhabits humid tropical lowland and premontane forest along the Pacific slope of Colombia and Ecuador. Spends much of its time underground or beneath leaf litter and rotting logs.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Fossorial and secretive, rarely seen above ground except after heavy rain. Feeds primarily on other snakes and elongate reptiles. Oviparous, laying small clutches of eggs. Generally non-aggressive, relying on its warning coloration to avoid conflict.
Frequently asked questions
How dangerous is Bocourt's Coral Snake?
It is venomous with potent neurotoxins, though bites are rare because of its secretive, burrowing lifestyle.
Where does it live?
It is restricted to Pacific lowland forests of Colombia and Ecuador.
What does it eat?
It preys mainly on other snakes and slender reptiles.
Is it often seen?
No, it is fossorial and rarely encountered above ground.
Bocourt's Coral Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Bocourt's Coral Snake.
