Bright spectacular coloration attracts the eye, - a signal that the coral snake is deadly.Science has proven that injecting the toxin is accompanied by only a third of that snake bites, but sacrifices that unlucky will live no more than a day if it does not provide timely assistance.
Description
Asp coral (Micrurus) - the general name of the genus of poisonous snakes, which unites more than forty species known today.Most members of this genus inhabit the vast Central and South America.Only arlekinovy coral snake is also found in North America (the northern boundary of the range of this species captures the states of Kentucky and Indiana in the United States).
The smallest representatives of asps - kobrovy and coral ordinary.Their length is only about fifty centimeters.The body of the largest, giant coral asp, can reach five-foot length.
these snakes characterizes the small, flat head, the absence of a pronounced cervical interception, fusiform body terminates in a small tail.The eyes are small with round pupils.Very small fangs are located inside a small, relatively weak stretch of the mouth.Extremely bright, motley coloring - a distinctive feature of all the snakes of the genus.A typical example - common coral snake (pictured below).
alternation of red, yellow and black (white) rings on the body takes place in the right order, at regular intervals.Rings size and order of alternation of the individual from each species of asps.
Lifestyle
As a rule, the coral snake leads a secretive, nocturnal.During daylight hours he hides in holes dug in the ground, as well as heaps of fallen leaves and dead branches.This snake is most active at dusk and before dawn.Its main food is usually lizards and small snakes as small canines are simply not able to bite through the skin of a larger entity.Occasionally she also eats frogs and small rodents.
Attacks coral snake, lightning rushed forward with wide-open mouth.In one bite is able to inject it into the body of the victim from six to twelve milligrams venom, while a dose of 4-6 mg of the toxin is lethal to humans.However, people still snake bites are extremely rare.Typically, this happens through casual contact, or when they are attracted by the beautiful color, disturb the snake or try to touch her.At the site of the bite usually does not even arise edema, pain and sometimes absent.However, without medical assistance bitten by an adder person can die in less than a day.At the same ones who survived, will forever remain serious problems with the kidneys, so asps is best not to touch the house and do not include.
Reproduction
marriage period at Coral asps comes twice a year: in late spring-early summer and late summer and early autumn.The males of this genus of snakes is quite poor eyesight, and females are hard to find.In addition, they are very aggressive.Often, instead of mating ritual in which the male coral asp strokes female nose on the back, between the snakes of different sex is a real fight.
Typically, in May and June, females lay eggs (four to eight) in a hole dug in the ground.The length of each egg can be up to four centimeters.In August or September are born small snake.They have the same color as the adults, and left the nest, immediately begin an independent life.
Interesting facts
faced with an obstacle, for example - a stone, a coral snake is usually frightened, hiding his head under Minimized body.However, he rolls from side to side and back of the body rises vertically, turning tail in the ring.
Coral snake - the only venomous snake in North America to lay eggs.All others give birth to live young.
Eating other species of snakes, snake sometimes not averse to profit and relatives.In the mating season mortal combat coral asps may begin immediately after mating.
Thanks to the bright color of this snake it is sometimes referred to as "Harlequin" or "lollipop".But local residents in some areas of the reptile habitat call him "minute snake."Coral snake bitten them kills the animal within a minute (we are talking about small prey).
