South American Coral Snake
Micrurus lemniscatus
A strikingly banded elapid of South American forests and wetlands, marked with the classic red-black-yellow triad pattern shared by many New World coral snakes.
- Adult length
- 0.7-1.2 m (2.3-4 ft)
- Range
- Tropical South America (Amazon Basin, Brazil, Venezuela, the Guianas)
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Overview
The South American coral snake is one of the most widespread members of the genus Micrurus, ranging across much of tropical South America. Its secretive, fossorial habits mean encounters with people are relatively uncommon.
It is frequently used as a reference species for the classic triad coral snake pattern in the Americas.
How to identify it
- Slender, cylindrical body with smooth, glossy scales
- Bold triads of black, yellow, and red rings encircling the body
- Small, blunt head barely distinct from the neck, colored black
- Round pupils, typical of elapids
- Short tail compared to body length
The consistent triad banding pattern (rather than paired black-red bands seen in some mimics) is a key identification feature.
Habitat & range
Inhabits lowland tropical rainforest, gallery forest, and seasonally flooded savanna, often near streams and swampy ground. It spends much of its life underground or under leaf litter and surface debris, emerging mainly at night or after rain.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal and fossorial, spending daylight hours hidden in burrows, under logs, or in leaf litter. Generally shy, relying first on cryptic behavior and tail-hiding displays. Feeds mainly on other snakes and elongate reptiles such as amphisbaenians. Reproduction is oviparous, with females laying small clutches of a few elongated eggs.
Frequently asked questions
How big does the South American coral snake get?
Adults typically reach 0.7-1.2 m (2.3-4 ft) in length.
Where is the South American coral snake found?
It occurs across tropical South America, including the Amazon Basin, Brazil, Venezuela, and the Guianas.
South American Coral Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding South American Coral Snake.
