Slender Coral Snake

The slender coral snake is a small, little-known elapid restricted to the western Amazon Basin. As a member of the genus Micrurus, it is venomous, though its diminutive size, secretive habits, and remote habitat make encounters with people extremely rare.

It is among the more poorly documented coral snakes, with much of its natural history inferred from a limited number of museum specimens and field observations.

• Unusually thin, elongated, worm-like body form for a coral snake
• Narrow rings of black, yellow, and red encircling the body
• Small, blunt head with little distinction from the neck
• Round pupils
• Short tail

Its notably slender build, even for a coral snake, along with fine banding, helps distinguish it from bulkier relatives in the same region.

Found in lowland tropical rainforest of the western Amazon Basin, including parts of Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil. Like other members of its genus, it is believed to be fossorial, living beneath leaf litter and loose soil.

Little is documented about its specific behavior, but it is presumed nocturnal and fossorial like related coral snakes. It likely feeds on other snakes and elongate reptiles, consistent with the diet of related Micrurus species. Reproduction is presumed oviparous.