Western Coral Snake
(Micruroides euryxanthus)
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Western Coral Snake (Micruroides euryxanthus) |
Color Photograph: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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Lampropeltis pyromelana A chunkier snake with a white snout. Black bands narrower and interrupted with red.
Chionactis palarostris Snout shovel-shaped, not blunt. Bands confined to dorsal half of the body.
Rhincheilus lecontei Body chunkier. Black bands speckled with white. Snout not black. Western Coral Snake (Micruroides euryxanthus) Identification: Snake 13 to 21 inches in length. Body with broad red and black bands with narrow white to light yellow rings. Front half of head all black and snout blunt. Red rings without black spots. Scales smooth and shiny. Anal plate divided. Geographical Variation:
Range (see map on left): This species is found in south-central and southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and southward into Mexico to the state of Sinaloa in Mexico. Habitat: The Western Coral Snake is found in a wide variety of habitats within its limited U.S. range. It occurs in both flat areas and rocky montaine areas including scrubland, pine forest, grasslands, and farm land. This species is most common in rocky hill country, particularly along arroyos and stream bottoms. Food: Small snakes and lizards. Behavior: POISONOUS. DO NOT HANDLE. The Western Coral Snake is primarily nocturnal, although it is ocassionally seen on overcast days. It apparently spends much of its time underground seeking blind and ground snakes. Reproduction: Unknown.
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Western Coral Snake (Micruroides euryxanthus)
There are several species of banded snakes within the range of the Western Coral Snake. However the combination of the blunt, black snout and the wide black and red bands should easily identify it. A few similar species are: Sonoran
Mountain Kingsnake Sonoran Shovel-nosed Snake (Chionactis palarostris) Long-nosed Snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei)
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