Micrurus multifasciatus
Species of snake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Micrurus multifasciatus, also known commonly as the gargantilla and the many-banded coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Central America and northwestern South America. There are two recognized subspecies.[2]
| Micrurus multifasciatus | |
|---|---|
| |
| Micrurus multifasciatus in Panama | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Micrurus |
| Species: | M. multifasciatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Micrurus multifasciatus (Jan, 1858) | |
 | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
Micrurus multifasciatus is a medium to large species for its genus. Adults usually have a total length (tail included) of 50–80 cm (20–31 in). However, the maximum recorded total length is 113 cm (44 in).[3]
Unusual for its genus, M. multifasciatus is bicolored. Its color pattern consists of alternating rings of only red and black, with no white or yellow being present. On the body, the red rings are narrower than the black rings; but on the tail, the red rings are wider than the black rings. There are 40–73 black rings on the body, and 2–5 black rings on the tail[3]
Geographic distribution
Habitat
Behavior
Micrurus multifasciatus is terrestrial.[1]
Diet
Like other New World coral snakes, Micrurus multifasciatus preys on limbless poikilotherms such as caecilians and snakes.[3]
Reproduction
Venom
When specimens of Micrurus multifasciatus were "milked" of their venom by a team of scientists at the Instituto Clodomiro Picado in Costa Rica, the average venom yield was 12 mg (dry weight). This amount is approximately twice the estimated lethal dose for an adult human, which the scientists estimated to be 5–7 mg.[3]: 102
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.[2]
- Micrurus multifasciatus hertwigi (F. Werner, 1896) – Costa Rican gargantilla
- Micrurus multifasciatus multifasciatus (Jan, 1858) – Panama gargantilla
Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Micrurus.