| Micrurus circinalis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Micrurus |
| Species: | M. circinalis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Micrurus circinalis | |
| |
| Synonyms2 | |
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Micrurus circinalis, also known commonly as the Trinidad coral snake, the Trinidad northern coral snake, and coral norteña trinitaria in South American Spanish, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to northern South America and the extreme southern Caribbean.2
Description
Small for the genus Micrurus, adults of Micrurus circinalis usually have a total length (tail included) of 40–50 cm (16–20 in), with a maximum recorded total length of 53.7 cm (21.1 in) (Roze 1996).
Geographic distribution
Micrurus circinalis is found in Trinidad and northeastern Venezuela.12
Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of Micrurus circinalis are forest and savanna, but it has also been found in artificial habitats such as agricultural areas and urban gardens.1
Behavior
Micrurus circinalis is terrestrial, fossorial, and predominately nocturnal, but may emerge to forage on cloudy days.1
Diet
Micrurus circinalis preys upon small lizards, such as species of the genus Bachia, and upon small snakes, such as those of the genera Atractus and Ninia.1
Reproduction
Micrurus circinalis is oviparous.12 Mating occurs in January–May, and egg-laying in July–September.1 Clutch size is 2–6 eggs.1
References
References
- Rivas, G.; Schargel, W.; Murphy, J. (2016). "Micrurus circinalis ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016 e.T56040596A56040624. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T56040596A56040624.en. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- Species Micrurus circinalis at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
Further reading
Further reading
- Duméril, A.-M.-C.; Bibron, G.; Duméril, A.[-H.A.] (1854). Erpétologie générale ou histoire naturelle complète des reptiles. Tome septième. Deuxième partie. Comprenant l'histoire des serpents venimeux. Paris: Librairie Encyclopédique de Roret. pp. xii + 781–1536. (Elaps circinalis, new species, pp. 1210–1211). (in French).
- Freiberg, M. (1982). Snakes of South America. Hong Kong: T.F.H. Publications. ISBN 0-87666-912-7. (Micrurus psyches circinalis, p. 116).
- Roze, J.A. (1967). "A Check List of the New World Venomous Coral Snakes (Elapidae), with Descriptions of New Forms". American Museum Novitates (2287): 1–60. (Micrurus psyches circinalis, new combination, pp. 40–41).
- Roze, J.A. (1996). Coral Snakes of the Americas: Biology, Identification, and Venoms. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. ISBN 0-89464-847-0. xii + 328 pp., 38 maps, 63 color photographs, 49 color pattern drawings. (Micrurus circinalis, p. 149 + Map 5 + Pattern 11).