Coral snake, Micrurus diastema
Unfortunately killed by security as it frightened a guest. Found in the Mile 9 area of Ambergris Caye and was 36" long.
I didn't know there were coral snakes on the island, and when I was told 36" I didn't believe them as I'd never seen any over a foot on the mainland.
Common colouration of diastema along coast and southern savannah. Definitely interesting band width though. Most of the individuals i've seen are more spaced, similar to M. Hippocrepis, and tail tip is banded right down - not something I have seen in diastema.
I'm pretty done in that someone would want it killed, I would have loved to have seen it alive. Time for another don't kill snakes talk. If anyone knows where I can get some tongs and teach the guys to relocate and educate rather than kill I would be grateful. I'll also have them call me if they see another Coral.
I've had to make a few makeshift snake hooks in the past, and by far the cheapest and most efficient is taking a paint roller pole with the roller taken off to expose the hook. Works great a keeps you at a safe distance.
Theres something about it thats off. It looks almost exactly like Micrurus nigrocinctus, which isnt known to occur in Belize. I think it is the uniform way the bands run from neck to tail tip. M. diastema usually has tail ending in a long black tip.
Black on yellow kills a fellow , red on black friend of jack...
Snakes usually leave just with you approaching them, theyre very afraid of humans. But if they dont for whatever reason, you can spray them with a hose or relocate them with a stick, rake or shovel and put them somewhere away from your home.
Photograph by Simon Backley
A deadly Coral Snake devouring a Scorpion Eater Snake. Just incredible! Mountain Pine Ridge... Video by Chris Burrowes
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