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
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
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]

Reproduction

M. averyi is oviparous.^[2]