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Elapidae

Bibron's Slender Coralsnake

Venomous

Calliophis bibroni

Bibron's Slender Coralsnake
Calliophis bibroni, © Kishore
Bibron's Slender CoralsnakeBibron's Slender Coralsnake

3 photographs of the Bibron's Slender Coralsnake. © Kishore.

The Bibron's Slender Coralsnake (Calliophis bibroni) is a venomous snake in the Elapidae family, recorded in 1 country.

If you are bitten

This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.

Family
Elapidae
Danger
high

About the Bibron's Slender Coralsnake

Calliophis bibroni, commonly known as Bibron's coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to India.

Etymology

The specific name, bibroni, is in honor of Gabriel Bibron (1806–1848), French zoologist and herpetologist.

Distribution and habitat

C. bibroni is endemic to the Western Ghats of India, essentially distributed in southern Karnataka state, Kerala state, and northwestern Tamil Nadu state.

The preferred natural habitat of C. bibroni is wet forest, at elevations of 1–1,220 m (3 ft 3 in – 4,002 ft 7 in).

In August 2013, a dead specimen was discovered on the highway passing through Mudumalai National Park at an elevation of 894 m (2,933 ft).

Description

The eye of C. bibroni is minute, its diameter about half its distance from the mouth. The frontal is nearly as long as its distance from the snout, much shorter than parietals. As there is no preocular, the prefrontal contacts the third upper labial. There is one very small postocular. The temporals are 1+1. There are seven upper labials, the third and fourth contacting the eye. The first lower labial is much elongate, forming a long suture with its fellow. There are two pairs of chin shields. The anterior chin shields are small, much shorter than posterior, and are in contact with third and fourth lower labials.

The dorsal scales are smooth, without apical pits, and are in 13 rows at midbody. The ventrals number 222-226. The anal is entire. The subcaudals are divided and number 27-34 pairs.

Coloration is cherry-red to dark purplish brown above, red beneath, with black crossbands which are sometimes continuous across the belly. The anterior part of the head is black above.

Adults may attain a total length of 64 cm (25 inches), which includes a tail length of 5 cm (2 inches).

Diet

C. bibroni is ophiophagous, specializing in preying upon snakes of the family Uropeltidae.

Reproduction

C. bibroni is oviparous.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Bibron's Slender Coralsnake

Is the Bibron's Slender Coralsnake venomous?
Yes. The Bibron's Slender Coralsnake (Calliophis bibroni) is venomous and belongs to the Elapidae family (cobra, mamba, coral or sea snake). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
Is the Bibron's Slender Coralsnake poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Bibron's Slender Coralsnake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Bibron's Slender Coralsnake dangerous?
This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.
Where does the Bibron's Slender Coralsnake live?
The Bibron's Slender Coralsnake has verified records in 1 country, including India. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Bibron's Slender Coralsnake eat?
C. bibroni is ophiophagous, specializing in preying upon snakes of the family Uropeltidae.
Why is it called the Bibron's Slender Coralsnake?
The specific name, bibroni, is in honor of Gabriel Bibron (1806–1848), French zoologist and herpetologist.

If you are bitten by the Bibron's Slender Coralsnake

A venomous snakebite is a medical emergency. Call your local emergency number immediately. In the US, dial 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Do

  • Get away from the snake and stay calm. Most bites worsen when people panic or try again to handle the snake.
  • Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) right away. Antivenom works best when given early.
  • Note the time of the bite and, from a safe distance, the snake's color and pattern, a phone photo is enough. Do not chase it.
  • Keep the bitten limb still and at roughly heart level. Sit or lie down and limit movement.
  • Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
  • Gently wash the bite with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.

Do not

  • Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom.
  • Do not apply a tourniquet or ice.
  • Do not drink alcohol or caffeine.
  • Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, they can worsen bleeding. Acetaminophen is safer for pain.
  • Do not try to catch or kill the snake. A dead snake can still bite by reflex.

First-aid guidance adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC NIOSH), Venomous Snakes. Educational only; always follow the instructions of emergency responders.

Where it is found

India

More Elapidae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
Elapidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
Calliophis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Calliophis bibroni

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.