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=                       Micrurus nigrocinctus                        =
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                             Introduction                             
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'Micrurus nigrocinctus', commonly known as the Central American coral
snake, is a species of a highly venomous snake in the family Elapidae.
The species is endemic to Latin America from southern  Mexico, Central
America, to north Colombia. There are six recognized subspecies,
including the nominate subspecies described here.


                             Common names                             
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Common names for 'M. nigrocinctus' include Central American coral
snake, and in Spanish: 'serpiente-coralillo centroamericana', 'coral
centroamericana', 'coralillo', 'gargantilla', 'salviara', 'limlim',
'babaspul', and 'coral macho'.


                             Description                              
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The Central American coral snake is capable of growing to a total
length (including tail) of 115 cm, but most are closer to 65 cm. It
has smooth scales, a rounded head, and eyes with round pupils. Its
color pattern can vary from two-colored to three-colored, with black,
yellow and red banding. The snout is black. Halfway the head, there is
usually a yellow ring (in three-colored specimens) or a red ring (in
bi-colored specimens). Color pattern on the body consists of often
fairly broad red bands separated by much narrower sets of
yellow-black-yellow bands. The numbers of black bands on the body may
vary from 10 to 24, and an additional 3 to 8 on the tail.


                           Geographic range                           
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'Micrurus nigrocinctus' ranges from southern Mexico through Central
America (except Belize) to northwestern Colombia, and the western
Caribbean.


                               Habitat                                
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'M. nigrocinctus' is mainly found in lowland rain forest, lowland dry
forest, thorn forest, lower montane wet (or moist) forest, and lower
montane dry forest, usually at elevations up to .


                               Behavior                               
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'M. nigrocinctus' is mainly a terrestrial snake that often dwells in
burrows, leaf litter, or under logs. Like most coral snakes it is
usually nocturnal, though it may also be active at dusk and dawn, and
sometimes after rainfall. It feeds on other snakes, small lizards,
amphibians, and invertebrates. While usually not aggressive, it will
bite when molested or restrained.


                             Reproduction                             
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'M. nigrocinctus' is oviparous.


                                Venom                                 
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The Central American coral snake's venom contains a strong neurotoxin,
causing neuromuscular dysfunction. Its LD50 is 0.3 mg/kg (IV), 1.7
mg/kg (SC) and 0.4 mg/kg(IP), the venom yield is 8 mg.


                              Subspecies                              
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There are six (seven) recognized subspecies of 'Micrurus
nigrocinctus':

:*'Micrurus nigrocinctus babaspul'
:*'Micrurus nigrocinctus coibensis'
:*'Micrurus nigrocinctus divaricatus'
:*'Micrurus nigrocinctus mosquitensis'  - accepted as species
('Micrurus mosquitensis')
:*'Micrurus nigrocinctus nigrocinctus'
:*'Micrurus nigrocinctus ovandoensis'
:*'Micrurus nigrocinctus zunilensis'

'Nota bene': A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the
subspecies was originally described in a genus other than 'Micrurus'.


                           Further reading                            
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*Freiberg M (1982). 'Snakes of South America'. Hong Kong: T.F.H.
Publications. 189 pp. . ('Micrurus nigrocinctus', p. 116).
*Girard C (1854). "Abstract of a Report to Lieut. James M. Gilliss, U.
S. N., upon the Reptiles collected during the U. S. N. Astronomical
Expedition to Chili [sic]". 'Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia' 7:
226-227. ('Elaps nigrocinctus', new species, p. 226).


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Original Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micrurus_nigrocinctus