Micrurus averyi
Micrurus averyi, also known commonly as Avery's coral snake and the black-headed coral snake, is a species of coral snake, a venomous snake in the genus Micrurus of the family Elapidae. The species is indigenous to northern South America.
| Micrurus averyi | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Micrurus |
| Species: | M. averyi |
| Binomial name | |
| Micrurus averyi Schmidt, 1939 | |
Etymology
The specific name, averyi, is in honor of American financier Sewell Avery, who funded the expedition during which the holotype was collected.[2][3]
Geographic range
M. averyi is found in southern Guyana (in the headwaters of Courantyne River[4]), southern Suriname, and Brazil (Pará, Amazonas, Mato Grosso).[1][2]
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of M. averyi is forest, at altitudes of 100–600 m (330–1,970 ft).[1]
Description
The head of M. averyi is almost completely black, and there is no nuchal ring. The relatively few black rings on the body are not grouped in triads. The maximum recorded total length (including tail) is 70 cm (28 in).[2]
References
- Ouboter, P. (2019). "Micrurus averyi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T15202841A15202846. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T15202841A15202846.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- Micrurus averyi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 27 December 2020.
- Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Micrurus averyi, p. 13).
- Cole, Charles J.; Townsend, Carol R.; Reynolds, Robert P.; MacCulloch, Ross D.; Lathrop, Amy (2013). "Amphibians and reptiles of Guyana, South America: illustrated keys, annotated species accounts, and a biogeographic synopsis". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 125 (4): 317–578. doi:10.2988/0006-324X-125.4.317. S2CID 86665287.
Further reading
- Freiberg M (1982). Snakes of South America. Hong Kong: T.F.H. Publications. 189 pp. ISBN 0-87666-912-7. (Micrurus averyi, p. 114).
- Schmidt KP (1939). "A New Coral Snake from British Guiana". Zoological Series of Field Museum of Natural History 24 (6): 45–47. (Micrurus averyi, new species).
- Vanzolini PE (1985). "Micrurus averyi Schmidt, 1939, in central Amazonia (Serpentes, Elapidae)". Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia, Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo 36 (8): 77–85.