Your Reptile and Amphibian Resource and Information Site

Back to Venomous Snakes Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area  

Venomous Snakes Forum

Catt1991   Catt1991   Chance   Catt1991   MeercatMilker   Louis Fourie   Eunectes4   Catt1991  
 Member  Message

 #569119


Catt1991
View Profile

 African Coral Snake

does any1 own one? my uncle said he just got a baby one. they kinda look like cobras, wats with that?? if any1 has any info on them i would love to now, thanxs!!! heres a pic



thanxs,

catt
12/10/05  05:54am

 #569126


Catt1991
View Profile



   Message To: Catt1991   In reference to Message Id: 569119


 African Coral Snake

oh i just found out coral and cobras are related so that solves that question, but still any info would b great.

catt
12/10/05  06:13am

 #569241


Chance
View Profile



   Message To: Catt1991   In reference to Message Id: 569126


 African Coral Snake

African coral snakes, aka coral cobras (genus Aspidelaps) are related to true cobras, but then again so are North American coral snakes which do not stand and hood. Coral cobras are similar to coral snakes in that they are fossorial species, i.e. species that spend most of their time underground, and both groups tend to feed on other reptiles in the wild. The major difference is that coral cobras have a much more dramatic defense display than coral snakes, as you have seen, and coral cobras feed readily on rodents in captivity whereas coral snakes are almost always herp feeders no matter where they are. Coral cobras are very neat little snakes though, and not terribly toxic. They make good trainer cobras because of that aspect, as well as their small size, poor striking ability (because of their poor eyesight), and easy husbandry. I wish your uncle good luck in caring for his new little captive. I’m sure he’ll enjoy it.
12/10/05  11:00am

 #569332


Catt1991
View Profile



   Message To: Chance   In reference to Message Id: 569241


 African Coral Snake

cool thanxs for the info, i’m goin to c it at the weekend can’t wait, he said he aslo has a few new rhino vipers (which i love),and some type of cobra (can’t remember the name),

thanxs again,

catt
12/10/05  12:36pm

 #579214


MeercatMilker
View Profile



   Message To: Catt1991   In reference to Message Id: 569332


 African Coral Snake

Coral snake (Aspidelaps lubricus)
Max. SVL 687 mm male, 600mm female

Description:
A short, solid snake with a large nostril shield on the nose, smooth scales in 19 rows at midbody, and usually a characteristic banded pattern. The head is reddish, with a black crossbar between the eyes, an arrow shape on the top, and a broad nuchal collar. The body is orange to coral-red, with 20-47 black cross bands that decrease in width towards the tail. The belly is yellowish, with the crossbars completely encircling the body in young, but fading in adults, leaving only the first 2-3 intact. In the northern races, the colour pattern also fades.

Biology and breeding:
The coral snake is bad-tempered. Although it does well in captivity, it rarely forgives its captor. It is fond of rocky outcrops. The diet consists mainly of small vertebrates, particularly other reptiles. Its venom is poorly known, but is apparently neurotoxic. The venom yield for Aspidelaps infuscatus has been recorded at 50 mg, with an LD50 300 µg/kg. The effectiveness of antivenom is unknown. Bites from the southern race have not resulted in serious symptoms, but a bite from Aspidelaps infuscatus was reported to have killed two children. Lays 3-11 eggs (50-54 x 15 mm) in December; these hatch in 59-71 days. The young measure 170-180 mm TL. In captivity, lay clutches every two months during summer.


Habitat:
Karroid and sandvelt.

Subspecies:
Three races: Aspidelaps lubricus rarely grows longer that 600 mm, is conspicuously banded, and has 20-28 subcaudals; found through Karoo to s. Namibia.
Aspidelaps infuscatus grows larger, has a black head, and a grey-brown body with vague dark cross bands; occurs in central Namibia.
Aspidelaps cowlesi has a pale head and uniform grey-brown body; occurs in Kaokoveld, SW Angola.



12/21/05  02:05pm

 #588335


Louis Fourie
View Profile



   Message To: Catt1991   In reference to Message Id: 569119


 African Coral Snake

Hi

I live in a private Nature Park in Namibia and I am part owner of the Park with some American Partners. We captured two Namibian Coral snakes yesterday (30/12/05) near my house and released them some miles away for their own safety. I did not realize that they were Coral snakes, though I had a suspicion and surfed the net to find out more about them, then came across your picture. I will send you pics of the two I captured. One (the bigger one, about 2 ft in length) faked death while the smaller (1.5 ft) was very agro. I suspect they were mated and the larger is the female? If you want some pics, contact me. Louis Fourie
12/31/05  01:27am

 #588391


Eunectes4
View Profile



   Message To: Louis Fourie   In reference to Message Id: 588335


 African Coral Snake

Poor striking ability...I have seen otherwise (not been hit).

everyone else hit about everything. Fun snakes...faster strikes than you may think.
12/31/05  06:31am

 #589330


Catt1991
View Profile



   Message To: Eunectes4   In reference to Message Id: 588391


 African Coral Snake

cool i would love some pics! my uncles coral was beautiful!! very active and lovely colours, the rhino vipers were kinda sloggy lol, he said hes trying to find a mate for the coral and breed them,

catt
01/01/06  09:52am


Back to Venomous Snakes Forum   Forums   Home   Members Area