Colubridae
Günther's False Coral Snake
HarmlessErythrolamprus guentheri
6 photographs of the Günther's False Coral Snake. © Benjamin Hidalgo.
The Günther's False Coral Snake (Erythrolamprus guentheri) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Günther's False Coral Snake
Erythrolamprus guentheri, also known commonly as Günther's false coral snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Dipsadinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to Ecuador and Peru.
Etymology
The specific name, guentheri, is in honor of German-born British herpetologist Albert Günther.
Geographic range
E. guentheri is found in eastern Ecuador and adjacent northern Peru.
Habitat
The preferred natural habitat of E. guentheri is forest, at altitudes of 200–950 m (660–3,120 ft).
Description
E. guentheri resembles venomous coral snakes of the genus Micrurus. Dorsally, it is tricolored, with wide crossbands of red and black, separated by narrow crossbands of yellow or white. Ventrally, however, it differs from coral snakes by lacking red coloration.
Reproduction
E. guentheri is oviparous.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Günther's False Coral Snake
- Is the Günther's False Coral Snake venomous?
- No. The Günther's False Coral Snake (Erythrolamprus guentheri) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Günther's False Coral Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Günther's False Coral Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Günther's False Coral Snake dangerous?
- The Günther's False Coral Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Why is it called the Günther's False Coral Snake?
- The specific name, guentheri, is in honor of German-born British herpetologist Albert Günther.
More Colubridae snakes
Yellow-bellied LiophisErythrolamprus poecilogyrus
Military Ground SnakeErythrolamprus miliaris
Fire-bellied SnakeErythrolamprus epinephalus
Black-backed SnakeErythrolamprus melanotus
Aesculapian False Coral SnakeErythrolamprus aesculapii
Double-banded Coral Snake MimicErythrolamprus bizona
Royal Ground SnakeErythrolamprus reginae
Velvet SwampsnakeErythrolamprus typhlus
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
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Erythrolamprus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Erythrolamprus guentheri
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.