Micrurus nigrocinctus babaspul
| Micrurus nigrocinctus babaspul | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Micrurus |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | M. n. babaspul
|
| Trinomial name | |
| Micrurus nigrocinctus babaspul Roze, 1967
| |
Micrurus nigrocinctus babaspul, or the babaspul (Creole for "barber's pole"), is a subspecies of Micrurus nigrocinctus, commonly known as the Central American coral snake. M. n. babaspul is a venomous elapid from Big Corn Island (Isla Grande del Maíz), Nicaragua. According to O'Shea (2008) this is an endangered subspecies, and the subspecies may even be extinct.
Description[edit]
M. n. babaspul is a tricoloured monadal coral snake. Its color pattern consists of rings in the order red/yellow/black/yellow/red. Being a monadal coral snake, it only has one black ring between each pair of red rings. It has a round small head with a long slender body. Adults may attain a total length (including tail) of 1.5–2 ft (46–61 cm).
Geographic Range[edit]
The babaspul is endemic to Big Corn Island, Nicaragua.
Habitat[edit]
M. n. babaspul inhabits tropical moist forests.
Diet[edit]
The babaspul will actively hunt small lizards and small snakes, and if available will take some rodents small enough for it to consume.
Reproduction[edit]
There is not much known about the reproduction of the babaspul, but it is believed to be an oviparous species.
Further reading[edit]
- 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 nigrocinctus babaspul, new subspecies).
- O'Shea, Mark (2008). Venomous Snakes of the World. New Holland Publishers Ltd. p. 52. ISBN 978-1847730862.
External links[edit]
- "ITIS Standard Report Page: Micrurus nigrocinctus babaspul ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 24 March 2012.