Biology:Micrurus circinalis
| 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
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| Binomial name | |
| Micrurus circinalis (A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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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.[1]
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.[2][1]
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.[2]
Behavior
Micrurus circinalis is terrestrial, fossorial, and predominately nocturnal, but may emerge to forage on cloudy days.[2]
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.[2]
Reproduction
Micrurus circinalis is oviparous.[2][1] Mating occurs in January–May, and egg-laying in July–September.[2] Clutch size is 2–6 eggs.[2]
References
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).
Wikidata ☰ Q3312508 entry
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