Coral snake
Title | Info |
---|---|
Common name | Snake, Coral |
Scientific name | Micrurus |
Taxonomic group | Elapidae |
Source | Dan L. Perlman |
Selection and adaptations | Coloration |
Coloration | Aposematic coloration |
Organisms | Animals |
Animals | Reptiles |
Lessons | Mimicry and Camouflage |
Date | 1988 |
Location | Monteverde,Costa Rica,North America |
Aposematic coloration in coral snake, Costa Rica. Coral snakes have relatively small fangs and are generally rather timid, preferring to escape rather than stay and fight. Their venom is a neurotoxin, unlike the venom of pit vipers such as the fer-de-lance, which has blood- and muscle-digesting properties. This type of bright and memorable color pattern is called aposematic coloring, and acts as a warning.