Langsdorff's Coral Snake
Micrurus langsdorffi
A widespread Amazonian coral snake named after German naturalist Georg von Langsdorff, patterned in bold tricolor rings.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.7-1.1 m (2.3-3.6 ft)
- Range
- Western Amazon Basin (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil)
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Overview
Langsdorff's coral snake ranges across the western Amazon Basin, spanning parts of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil. It is one of many Micrurus species inhabiting the vast lowland rainforests of South America.
The species commemorates Georg Heinrich von Langsdorff, a 19th-century naturalist and explorer of Brazil. Like its relatives, it is secretive and rarely encountered despite being locally common.
How to identify it
- Red, black, and white/yellow rings arranged in triads along the body
- Smooth, glossy scales
- Small head with black cap, barely distinct from neck
- Round pupils
- Moderate to fairly long body for a coral snake, up to about 1.1 m
- Distinguished from co-occurring Amazonian coral snakes by ring counts and proportions
Habitat & range
Inhabits lowland tropical rainforest across the western Amazon Basin, including terra firme and seasonally flooded forest. Found from near sea level up to moderate foothill elevations, sheltering in leaf litter and under logs.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Fossorial and largely nocturnal, emerging to forage after dark or following rain. Preys chiefly on other snakes, including small colubrids. Egg-laying, with reproduction tied to the humid rainy season.
Frequently asked questions
Who was this snake named after?
It honors Georg Heinrich von Langsdorff, a naturalist and explorer who studied Brazilian wildlife in the 19th century.
Where does it live?
Across the western Amazon Basin in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil.
Is it venomous?
Yes, it has potent neurotoxic venom, though it is secretive and bites are rare.
Langsdorff's Coral Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Langsdorff's Coral Snake.
