Steindachner's Coral Snake
Micrurus steindachneri
An Andean foothill coral snake named for Austrian naturalist Franz Steindachner, showing bold tricolor rings.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.6-0.9 m (2-3 ft)
- Range
- Amazonian Andean foothills of eastern Ecuador
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Overview
Steindachner's coral snake is endemic to the eastern Andean foothills of Ecuador. It commemorates Franz Steindachner, a 19th-century Austrian zoologist renowned for describing numerous reptile and fish species.
This coral snake, like its many relatives in the genus Micrurus, is secretive and fossorial, relying on cryptic underground habits and warning coloration rather than aggression.
How to identify it
- Tricolor rings of red, black, and white/yellow forming repeating triads
- Smooth, glossy scales
- Small head with black cap, barely distinct from neck
- Round pupils
- Moderate size, generally under 0.9 m
- Distinguished from co-occurring Andean coral snakes by ring proportions and scale counts
Habitat & range
Inhabits humid montane and foothill forests along the eastern slopes of the Andes in Ecuador. Found from lowland into lower montane elevations, sheltering in leaf litter and rotting logs.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Fossorial and secretive, most active at dusk or after rainfall. Preys mainly on other snakes and elongate lizards. Reproduces by laying eggs, generally during the wet season.
Frequently asked questions
Who does the name honor?
Franz Steindachner, an Austrian naturalist who described many reptile and fish species in the 19th century.
Where does it live?
In the Amazonian Andean foothill forests of eastern Ecuador.
Is it venomous?
Yes, it has neurotoxic venom typical of coral snakes, though bites are rare due to its secretive nature.
Steindachner's Coral Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Steindachner's Coral Snake.
