Micrurus altirostris, also known commonly as the Uruguayan coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to southeastern South America.
Geographic distribution Micrurus altirostris is found in northeastern Argentina, extreme southern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Habitat The preferred natural habitat of Micrurus altirostris is forest, but it is also found less abundantly in savanna and grassland. Its altitudinal range is from near sea level to around .
Behavior Micrurus altirostris is terrestrial, foraging in plant litter.
Diet Micrurus altirostris preys upon amphisbaenians and snakes.
Reproduction Micrurus altirostris is oviparous.
Venom Micrurus altirostris possesses a potent venom. The estimated lethal dose is 5–7 mg for an adult human. When live specimens were "milked" in a laboratory, the average venom yield was 8–10 mg.Roze, J.A. (1996).
References
Further reading
(Elaps altirostris, new species, p. 345). 189 pp. (Micrurus frontalis altirostris, p. 115). (Elaps heterochilus, new species). (in French). xii + 328 pp., 38 maps, 63 color photographs, 49 color pattern drawings. (Micrurus frontalis altirostris, p. 173 + Map 18 + Color 26).