Brazilian Coral Snake
Micrurus frontalis
A brightly ringed coral snake of southern South America's grasslands and forests, notable for its bold black-yellow-red banding and secretive lifestyle.
- Adult length
- 0.6-1.0 m (2-3.3 ft)
- Range
- South America (Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Argentina)
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Overview
The Brazilian coral snake is a widely recognized elapid found across the southern half of South America. It is reclusive in habit.
It is one of the better-studied Micrurus species due to its relatively broad range spanning several countries and habitat types.
How to identify it
- Smooth, glossy scales with a cylindrical body form
- Repeating triads of black, yellow, and red rings along the length of the body
- Small black head with little demarcation from the neck
- Round pupils
- Short, tapering tail
Color pattern and ring count help separate it from similarly patterned species in the same range, though such distinctions require expert-level care.
Habitat & range
Found in a range of habitats including cerrado savanna, subtropical forest, grassland, and forest edge across Brazil and neighboring countries. It is fossorial, spending most of its time underground, in leaf litter, or beneath surface debris.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Mostly active at twilight and at night, and rarely seen in the open during the day. When disturbed, it hides the head and displays the tail as a decoy. Diet consists chiefly of other snakes and legless or elongate reptiles. Reproduction is oviparous, with modest clutches of elongated eggs laid in moist underground sites.
Frequently asked questions
How big does the Brazilian coral snake get?
It typically reaches 0.6-1.0 m (2-3.3 ft) in length.
Where is the Brazilian coral snake found?
It ranges across Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Argentina.
Brazilian Coral Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Brazilian Coral Snake.
