Species of Thailand
MacClelland's coral snake
Sinomicrurus macclellandi
(Johannes Theodor Reinhardt, 1844)
In Thai: งูปล้องหวายลายขวั้นดำ, ngu plong wai lai khwan dam
Sinomicrurus macclellandi, commonly known as MacClelland's coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to southern and eastern Asia.
Etymology
The specific name, macclellandi, is in honor of John McClelland, a physician and naturalist, who worked for the East India Company.
Description
S. macclellandi is a small snake, about 40 - 80 cm in total length (including tail), and has a thin body. Dorsally, it is reddish-brown, with thin, black cross bars, and its belly is creamy white. The head is small, round and black in color, with a broad, creamy white transverse band, and black outlines at the middle of the head. The dorsal scales on the body are smooth, and they are arranged, at midbody, in 13 parallel longitudinal rows.
Geographic range
S. macclellandi is found in northern and northeastern India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, northern Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, central and southern China (including Hong Kong, Hainan, north to Gansu and Shaanxi), Taiwan, and Ryukyu Islands (Japan). It is also found in Laos.
Subspecies
Three subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies:
- Sinomicrurus macclellandi macclellandi
- Sinomicrurus macclellandi nigriventer – India (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand)
- Sinomicrurus macclellandi univirgatus – Nepal, India (Sikkim
Behavior and habitat
S. macclellandi is mainly nocturnal and terrestrial. It occurs in forest litter, hillside, and lowland. It is often found hiding under leaves. Although this is a venomous species, it is quite docile and not likely to strike actively.
Diet
S. macclellandi preys on small reptiles, such as lizards and snakes.
Venom
Like other elapids, S. macclellandi possesses a potent neurotoxic venom, which is capable of killing a person. Bite symptoms include numbness of lips and difficulty of speech and breathing, followed by blurred vision. Severe bite victims may die of instant heart failure, although there have been only a few human deaths recorded in Thailand.
Reproduction
S. macclellandi is an oviparous species. Mature females lay clutches of 6–14 eggs.
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Scientific classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Class
- Reptilia
- Order
- Squamata
- Suborder
- Serpentes
- Family
- Elapidae
- Genus
- Sinomicrurus
- Species
- Sinomicrurus macclellandi
Common names
- German: MacClellands Korallenotter
- English: MacClelland’s coral snake
- Thai: งูปล้องหวายลายขวั้นดำ, ngu plong wai lai khwan dam
Subspecies
Sinomicrurus macclellandi iwasakii, Moichirō Maki, 1935
Sinomicrurus macclellandi macclellandi, Johannes Theodor Reinhardt, 1844
Sinomicrurus macclellandi swinhoei, John Van Denburgh, 1912
Sinomicrurus macclellandi univirgatus, Albert Charles Lewis Günther, 1858
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Photos
Range Map
- Bo Kluea District, Nan
- Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
- Doi Inthanon National Park
- Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park
- Doi Suthep - Pui National Park
- Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
- Huai Nam Dang National Park
- Kaeng Krachan National Park
- Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary
- Khao Kho District, Phetchabun
- Khao Yai National Park
- Khun Chae National Park
- Khun Yuam District, Mae Hong Son
- Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai
- Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai
- Mae Takhrai National Park
- Mae Tho National Park
- Namtok Pha Charoen National Park
- Pang Sida National Park
- Pha Daeng National Park
- Phop Phra District, Tak
- Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
- Phu Suan Sai National Park
- Ramkhamhaeng National Park
- Sakaerat Environmental Research Station
- Suan Phueng District, Ratchaburi
- Umphang District, Tak
- Wiang Chai District, Chiang Rai