Coral snake | Facts & Information

Origin

There are 11 species of coral from the old world and over 65 species from the new world that are divided into three genera (Leptomicrurus, Micruroides and Micrurus).

They are highlighted by the Rings of red, yellow, aln and black colors. Mi many species have a similar coloration. To distinguish venomous snakes from non-venomous ones people in the areas where these snakes are found (e.g. North America) have drawn a rhyme:

Red on yellow, kill a fellow Red on black, friend of jack

Red with yellow dies a friend red with black with Jack's friend

This little poem is only valid for snakes in North America(Texas, Arizona and the southern United States). Coral snakes in other parts of the globe have rings of different colors or even different colors.

Feeding Coral Snake

The eating behavior of snakes in general is of great interest due to their unique characteristics. These unique characteristics are mainly due to The Shape of the body, the elongated shape, which allows the snake to capture and swallow prey.

The lack of limbs led to his evolution and adaptation to what he is today. All species of snakes are carnivorous and swallow their prey whole. Coral snakes eat lizards, mice, birds, other smaller snakes.

There are two ways the snake captures its prey. By active hunting or ambush (waiting for prey to approach and then jumping on it). Corals prefer to wait. Because they do not move much they do not use much energy, so they do not need food often, thus reducing their chances of being seen by other predators.

After biting the prey it waits for the venom to take effect. The length of time before it will fully Act varies depending on the size of the bitten animal, the amount of venom injected, and the accuracy of the bite. Besides immobilization, Venom also plays a role in digestion.

Small animals are swallowed without much trouble. It does not matter if they are swallowed head first or from the middle.

If the prey is large it will always be swallowed head first, as the position of the limbs makes it easier for the swallowed animal to peck that way.

Humans or other animals if they try to swallow similarly drown and may die. The snake has a glottis (the opening of the larynx that helps it breathe while swallowing), allows it to swallow prey in a longer time of a few seconds (it can take half an hour depending on size, species, etc.).

Besides the venom that helps the snake from the first bite and saliva plays an important role in digestion; it contains powerful digestive enzymes. There are several factors that affect digestion. One of these factors is temperature.

Prey size is variable as well. Snakes try to increase their temperature after feeding to promote digestion. It usually takes a few days for digestion to be complete.

If this does not happen, for whatever reason, then the snake will regurgitate food.

Features Coral Snake

Most coral species are of medium size. The North American ones reach 1M in length, but there are also 3M specimens. a few slightly longer specimens have been reported but this is rare.

There are also species that have adapted to the aquatic environment. The tail has flattened and acts like a flipper. These species are entirely aquatic. Coral snakes avoid being seen.

They spend most of their time hiding in the ground or under leaves in the rainforest. They come to the surface more often during the breeding season and after rain. They are not aggressive or prone to bite where it follows that a proportion of less than one percent is reported annually.

Most coral snake bites are considered self-defense, usually happening around homes when people go out gardening.

Beddome Coral snake-Calliophis beddomei

Bibron Coral snake-Calliophis bibroni

Malaysian Blue Coral Snake-Calliophis bivirgatus

Castoe Coral snake-Calliophis castoe

Spotted Coral snake-Calliophis gracilis

Red-bellied Coral snake-Calliophis haematoetron

Malaysian striped Coral snake-Calliophis intestinalis

Spectacled coral snake-Calliophis maculiceps

Indian Coral snake-Calliophis melanurus

Black Coral Snake-Calliophis nigrescens

Coral Snake Breeding

They are usually stocky animals, practically deaf, with poor eyesight and without a voice, so finding a mate is not always easy.

In order for the perteners to be found more easily the anal glands of the female secrete an odor, during the mating period, Odor followed by males.

The gestation period differs depending on the conditions, especially the temperature. The eggs are laid in a shallow hole covered with a thin layer of Earth. Some snakes lay their eggs after rocks or in hollow tree logs.

The goal is to house the eggs in a place that is not too hot during the day and not too cold at night. The female does not take care of eggs like other animals.

Each egg has all the nutrients and meets all the conditions for the full development of the offspring.

Eggs of snakes contain large amounts of yolk. This yolk contains large amounts of fat and carbohydrates for the development of the embryo.