''Micrurus annellatus'', commonly known as Annellated coral snake, is a

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

venomous Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...

elapid Elapidae (, commonly known as elapids ; grc, ἔλλοψ ''éllops'' "sea-fish") is a family of snakes characterized by their permanently erect fangs at the front of the mouth. Most elapids are venomous, with the exception of the genus Emydoce ...

snake Snakes are elongated, Limbless vertebrate, limbless, carnivore, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes . Like all other Squamata, squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping Scale (zoology), scales. Ma ...

native to southeastern

Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ''Eku ...

, eastern

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...

Bolivia , image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg , flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center , flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...

, and western

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

. There are three recognized

subspecies In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...

, including the nominate subspecies described here.

Subspecies

There are 3 recognized subspecies: *''Micrurus annellatus annellatus'' (

Peters Peters may refer to: People * Peters (surname) * Peters Band, a First Nations band in British Columbia, Canada Places United States * Peters, California, a census-designated place * Peters, Florida, a town * Peters Township, Kingman County, Kan ...

, 1871) *''

Micrurus annellatus balzanii ''Micrurus'' is a genus of Venomous snake, venomous coral snakes of the Family (biology), family Elapidae. Geographic range Species in the genus ''Micrurus'' are Endemism, endemic to the Americas. Species The following 83 species are recognized ...

'' ( Boulenger, 1898) *''

Micrurus annellatus bolivianus ''Micrurus'' is a genus of venomous coral snakes of the family Elapidae. Geographic range Species in the genus ''Micrurus'' are endemic to the Americas. Species The following 83 species are recognized as being valid. *'' Micrurus albicinctus'' ...

'' (

Roze Roze may refer to: People *Janis Roze, herpetologist * Jean Roze, French textile producer *Pierre-Gustave Roze (1812–1862), French naval commander * Ernest Roze, French mycologist; see Marasmiaceae * Magdalena Roze, Australian meteorologist * Mar ...

, 1967)

Common names

Annellated coral snake. In

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...

: ''cobra-coral anelada'', ''coral anilada'', ''naca-naca''.

Description

The Annellated coral snake can grow to , but most are closer to . Its color pattern may vary between subspecies: overall dark blue to black, with narrow rings of white, yellow, pale blue (''M. a. annellatus''), or dull red (''M. a. balzani''). Tricolored specimens are black, red, & yellow and color patterns do not occur in "triads".

Habitat

It is mainly found in montane wet forest and cloud forest at elevations ranging from 300 up to 2,000 m.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q3004391 annellatus Snakes of South America Reptiles of Bolivia Reptiles of Brazil Reptiles of Ecuador Reptiles of Peru Reptiles described in 1871 Taxa named by Wilhelm Peters