Ribbon Coral Snake

Appearance

''M. lemniscatus'' is a thin and brightly colored species. Adults measure 60–90 cm in length, the maximum previously reported was 145 cm . The snout is black, followed by a narrow white crossband in front of the eyes, then a wider black band including the eyes. The eyes are small, and the rest of the head is red. The body pattern consists of slightly broad red rings that are separated by 7 to 17 triads of 3 black and white rings. The tail has 2 black triads alternating with white rings.

Naming

There are four subspecies which are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies:
⤷ ''Micrurus lemniscatus carvalhoi'' Roze, 1967
⤷ ''Micrurus lemniscatus fronifasciatus''
⤷ ''Micrurus lemniscatus helleri'' K.P. Schmidt & F.J.W. Schmidt, 1925
⤷ ''Micrurus lemniscatus lemniscatus''

''Nota bene'': A binomial authority or trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species or subspecies was originally described in a genus other than ''Micrurus''.The subspecific names, ''carvahloi'' and ''helleri'', are in honor of Brazilian herpetologist Antenor Leitão de Carvalho and American zoologist Edmund Heller, respectively.

Behavior

Like many coral snakes, ''M. lemniscatus'' is nocturnal and terrestrial, digging in loose soil or litter. It is not aggressive towards humans, although it can attack to defend itself.

Habitat

'' M. lemniscatus'' is a widespread species in South America, living in humid forests and lowland forests, in open savannas and gallery forests. It is also found in lowland floodplains, deforested areas or near human habitation, in humid areas or near places with a water source. It occurs from near sea level to an altitude of 1,000 m .

Reproduction

Breeding of ''M. lemniscatus'' is oviparous, having a clutch size of possibly 20 eggs.

Food

Alimentation of ''M. lemniscatus'' is mainly long-bodied vertebrates such as freshwater eels, caecilians, lizards, and snakes.

Defense

The venom of ''M. lemniscatus'' is a potent post- and pre-synaptic neurotoxin, which causes a potent and irreversible neuromuscular block in vertebrates. Lemnitoxin, a potent myotoxic PLA2 type toxin, isolated from the venom of ''M. lemniscatus'' induces local and systemic myotoxicity after intramuscular and intravenous injection in mice, which is antigenically related to ''Micrurus nigrocinctus'' nigroxin, ''Notechis scutatus'' notexin, mulgotoxin of ''Pseudechis australis'' and textilotoxin of ''Pseudonaja textilis''.