Hemprich's Coral Snake
Micrurus hemprichii
A monadal-patterned coral snake of the Amazon rainforest, named after the German naturalist Wilhelm Hemprich.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.6-0.9 m (2-3 ft)
- Range
- Amazon Basin of South America
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Overview
Hemprich's coral snake is a New World species restricted to the Amazon Basin of South America. It was named after German naturalist Wilhelm Hemprich, and shows a distinctive banding in which black rings are separated by red or orange along much of the body.
It is a fossorial, forest-floor species that is rarely encountered due to its secretive habits.
How to identify it
- Black rings alternating with red or orange along much of the body, generally lacking white intervening rings on most segments
- Black snout, sometimes with a pale band behind
- Smooth scales and slender cylindrical body
- Small head not distinct from neck; round pupils
- Ring pattern separates it from tricolor triad-patterned coral snakes in the same region
Habitat & range
Inhabits lowland tropical rainforest across the Amazon Basin, typically below 500 m elevation, hiding in leaf litter and loose soil.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Nocturnal and fossorial, rarely surfacing except at night or after rain. Feeds on other snakes and amphisbaenians. Reproduces by laying eggs.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Hemprich's coral snake named after?
It is named after Wilhelm Hemprich, a German naturalist; it is a South American species found in the Amazon Basin.
Is it venomous?
Yes, it carries neurotoxic venom typical of coral snakes.
How does its pattern differ from typical coral snakes?
It generally shows black and red rings without the white intervening rings seen in many tricolor species.
Where does it live?
In Amazon rainforest across northern and central South America.
Hemprich's Coral Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Hemprich's Coral Snake.
