Micrurus circinalis
| Micrurus circinalis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Micrurus |
| Species: | M. circinalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Micrurus circinalis | |
 | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Micrurus circinalis, also known commonly as the Trinidad coral snake, the Trinidad northern coral snake, and coral norteña trinitaria in South American Spanish, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to northern South America and the extreme southern Caribbean.[2]
Description
[edit]Small for the genus Micrurus, adults of Micrurus circinalis usually have a total length (tail included) of 40–50 cm (16–20 in), with a maximum recorded total length of 53.7 cm (21.1 in) (Roze 1996).
Geographic distribution
[edit]Micrurus circinalis is found in Trinidad and northeastern Venezuela.[1][2]
Habitat
[edit]The preferred natural habitats of Micrurus circinalis are forest and savanna, but it has also been found in artificial habitats such as agricultural areas and urban gardens.[1]
Behavior
[edit]Micrurus circinalis is terrestrial, fossorial, and predominately nocturnal, but may emerge to forage on cloudy days.[1]
Diet
[edit]Micrurus circinalis preys upon small lizards, such as species of the genus Bachia, and upon small snakes, such as those of the genera Atractus and Ninia.[1]
Reproduction
[edit]Micrurus circinalis is oviparous.[1][2] Mating occurs in January–May, and egg-laying in July–September.[1] Clutch size is 2–6 eggs.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rivas, G.; Schargel, W.; Murphy, J. (2016). "Micrurus circinalis ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016 e.T56040596A56040624. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T56040596A56040624.en. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 Species Micrurus circinalis at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
Further reading
[edit]- Duméril, A.-M.-C.; Bibron, G.; Duméril, A.[-H.A.] (1854). Erpétologie générale ou histoire naturelle complète des reptiles. Tome septième. Deuxième partie. Comprenant l'histoire des serpents venimeux. Paris: Librairie Encyclopédique de Roret. pp. xii + 781–1536. (Elaps circinalis, new species, pp. 1210–1211). (in French).
- Freiberg, M. (1982). Snakes of South America. Hong Kong: T.F.H. Publications. ISBN 0-87666-912-7. (Micrurus psyches circinalis, p. 116).
- Roze, J.A. (1967). "A Check List of the New World Venomous Coral Snakes (Elapidae), with Descriptions of New Forms". American Museum Novitates (2287): 1–60. (Micrurus psyches circinalis, new combination, pp. 40–41).
- Roze, J.A. (1996). Coral Snakes of the Americas: Biology, Identification, and Venoms. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. ISBN 0-89464-847-0. xii + 328 pp., 38 maps, 63 color photographs, 49 color pattern drawings. (Micrurus circinalis, p. 149 + Map 5 + Pattern 11).