Micrurus clarki

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Micrurus clarki
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Micrurus
Species:
M. clarki
Binomial name
Micrurus clarki
Schmidt, 1936

Micrurus clarki, also known commonly as Clark's coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Central America and northwestern South America.

Etymology[edit]

The specific name, clarki, is in honor of Dr. Herbert Charles Clark (1877–1960), who was Director of Laboratories and Preventive Medicine for United Fruit Company, and then was Director of Gorgas Memorial Laboratory (1929–1954), in Panama.[2]

Geographic range[edit]

M. clarki is found in western Colombia (Valle del Cauca Department), Panama (Darién Gap), and southeastern Costa Rica.[3]

Habitat[edit]

The preferred natural habitat of M. clarki is forest, at altitudes of 2–900 m (6.6–2,952.8 ft).[1]

Behavior[edit]

M. clarki is fossorial.[1]

Reproduction[edit]

M. clarki is oviparous.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Batista, A.; García Rodríguez, A.; Saborío, G.; Vargas Álvarez, J.; Acosta Chaves, V.; Rivas, G.; Gutiérrez-Cárdenas, P.; Caicedo, J.; Renjifo, J. (2014). "Micrurus clarki". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T203624A2769200. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T203624A2769200.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Micrurus clarki, p. 54).
  3. ^ a b Species Micrurus clarki at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.

Further reading[edit]

  • Freiberg M (1982). Snakes of South America. Hong Kong: T.F.H. Publications. 189 pp. ISBN 0-87666-912-7. (Micrurus clarki, p. 114).
  • Savage JM (2002). The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Herpetofauna between Two Continents, between Two Seas. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press. 954 pp. ISBN 0-226-73537-0.
  • Schmidt KP (1936). "Notes on Central American and Mexican Coral Snakes". Zoological Series of Field Museum of Natural History 20: 205–216. (Micrurus clarki, new species, pp. 211–212).