Micrurus browni, commonly known as Brown's coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Guatemala and southwestern Mexico. There are three recognized subspecies, including the nominate subspecies described here.
Etymology The specific name, browni, is in honor of American scientific collector Wilmot W. Brown Jr.
Spanish common names Common names for Micrurus browni in Spanish include serpiente-coralillo de Brown, coral, coral de Acapulco, coral de Antigua, coral (or coralillo) de canutos, and vibora de coral.
Description Brown's coral snake can grow to in total length (tail included), but it is usually to . It has smooth dorsal scales, a rounded head, and the pupil of the eye is round. Its color pattern is three-colored: broad red rings, separated by 10–27 black rings, each black ring bordered by two narrow yellow rings. The snout is black. There is usually a yellow band, across the top of the head, halfway back.
Geographic range The geographic distribution of Micrurus browni is limited to Quintana Roo in southwestern Mexico, and western Guatemala, including Sacatepéquez. Previous reports for Honduras have been found to be incorrect.
Habitat Micrurus browni is mainly found in tropical deciduous forest, pine-oak forest, and cloud forest at elevations ranging from sea level up to .
Behavior Although little is known about the behavior of Micrurus browni, like most other coral snakes it may be nocturnal, terrestrial and probably dwells in burrows, leaf litter, or under logs. While usually not aggressive, it will bite when molested or restrained.
Diet Micrurus browni preys on invertebrates, amphibians, small lizards, and other snakes.
Reproduction Like other members of the genus Micrurus, M. browni is oviparous and may lay a maximum of 15 eggs per clutch.
Venom Little is known about the effects of the venom of Micrurus browni. It may contain a neurotoxin, which can cause neuromuscular dysfunction, as is the case with the venom of other coral snakes.
Subspecies The following three subspecies of Micrurus browni are recognized as being valid. www.reptile-database.org.
Micrurus browni browni Schmidt & H.M. Smith, 1943 Micrurus browni importunus Roze, 1967 Micrurus browni taylori Schmidt & H.M. Smith, 1943
The subspecific name, taylori, is in honor of American herpetologist Edward Harrison Taylor.Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. . (Micrurus browni, p. 40; M. b. taylori, p. 261).
References
Further reading
Heimes P (2016). Snakes of Mexico: Herpetofauna Mexicana Vol. I. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Chimaira. 572 pp. . Roze J (1967). "A Check List of the New World Venomous Coral Snakes (Elapidae), with Descriptions of New Forms". American Museum Novitates (2287): 1–60. (Micrurus browni importunus, new subspecies, pp. 11–12 + Figure 4). xii + 328 pp., 38 maps, 63 color photographs, 49 color pattern drawings. (Micrurus browni, pp. 146–148 + Map 10 + Patterns 8–10). Schmidt KP, Smith HM (1943). "Notes on Coral Snakes from México". Zoological Series of Field Museum of Natural History 29 (2): 25-31. (Micrurus browni, new species, pp. 29–30; Micrurus nuchalis taylori, new subspecies, pp. 30–31).