''Calliophis haematoetron'', commonly known as the blood-bellied coral snake, is a species of

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

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found else ...

to Sri Lanka.

Geographic range

It is found in central lowlands of Sri Lanka. It is known from Wasgamuwa and Rattota.

Description

Frontal shorter or sub-equal to inter-parietal suture. First sub-labial does not contact second pair of chin-shields. Head relatively unpigmented. No light spots postero-lateral to parietals. Dorsum banded. Venter is bright red and red pigment lateral to blue under-tail colour. Snake is known to produce 3 eggs at a time.

References

* http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Calliophis&species=haematoetron * http://eol.org/pages/1282253/hierarchy_entries/41233638/overview * https://web.archive.org/web/20141004101244/http://www.srilankanreptiles.com/Snakes/CobrasKraitsCoralSnakesSeaSnakes.html * https://books.google.com/books?id=wsySAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA145 haematoetron Snakes of Asia Reptiles of Sri Lanka Reptiles described in 2008 {{Elapidae-stub