Beddome's Coral Snake
Calliophis beddomei
A small, secretive coral snake endemic to the rainforests of the Western Ghats in southern India, named after naturalist Richard Beddome.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.4-0.6 m (16-24 in)
- Range
- Western Ghats, southern India
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Overview
Beddome's Coral Snake is a small elapid endemic to the Western Ghats mountain range of southern India, one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. It is named after Richard Henry Beddome, a British naturalist who studied the region's flora and fauna extensively.
Like other Calliophis coral snakes, it is fossorial and rarely seen, spending most of its life hidden beneath leaf litter and soil in humid forest habitats.
How to identify it
- Slender, small-bodied snake with a reddish-brown to coral-red dorsal coloration
- Pale yellowish or cream underside, sometimes with dark markings
- Smooth, glossy scales and a cylindrical body
- Small head barely distinct from the neck, with round pupils
- Lacks the bold black-and-white banding of many other coral snakes, making it less conspicuous
Habitat & range
Restricted to moist evergreen and semi-evergreen forests of the Western Ghats in southern India, typically found in leaf litter and loose soil at low to moderate elevations.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Fossorial and secretive, rarely seen above ground except after heavy rain. Feeds primarily on other small snakes. Lays eggs. Its shy, burrowing nature means it is seldom encountered despite its venomous status.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beddome's Coral Snake venomous?
Yes, it is venomous, though bites to humans are extremely rare due to its secretive, burrowing lifestyle.
Where is it found?
It is endemic to the Western Ghats mountain range of southern India.
Why doesn't it look like a typical coral snake?
It lacks the bold banded pattern of many coral snakes, instead showing a more uniform reddish-brown coloration.
What does it eat?
Primarily other small snakes.
Beddome's Coral Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Beddome's Coral Snake.
