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🐍 False Coral Snake (*Oxyrhopus petolarius*)

Posted
Updated
ByZusi Agenti

False Coral Snake (Oxyrhopus petolarius) is one of the animal species documented at Yuyo in the Caribbean lowlands of Costa Rica.

🔤 Name English / nombre español / Name Deutsch

False Coral Snake / Falsa coral / Falsche Korallenschlange

⚠️ Identification note: This species identification is considered probable, but not fully certain. We welcome additional information or corrections from biologists and other experts. Please contact us if you can help confirm the identification.

🔬 Taxonomy & conservation

Family

Dipsadidae — dipsadine snakes

IUCN status

LC — Least Concern

ⓘ What does this mean?

About the IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List assesses the global risk of extinction of species using criteria such as population size and trends, geographic range, and the degree of population decline. The category shown here describes conservation status — it does not indicate whether an animal is dangerous to humans.

EX Extinct · EW Extinct in the Wild · CR Critically Endangered · EN Endangered · VU Vulnerable · NT Near Threatened · LC Least Concern · DD Data Deficient · NE Not Evaluated

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

🌿 Habitat & Ecology

Local distribution & habitat

Native to Central America; no more specific occurrence in Costa Rica or the Caribbean lowlands is stated.

GBIF occurrence evidence around Yuyo

Costa Rica: 194 GBIF records
Within 5 km: 0 records
Within 10 km: 3 records
Within 25 km: 9 records
Within 50 km: 9 records
Nearest GBIF record: 7.89 km away · human observation · coordinate uncertainty 1800 m

Photo from Yuyo
A glossy black snake with orange-red bands and scattered pale markings lies partly coiled in a narrow space between a green wall and stacked cardboard boxes; its head is obscured.
A glossy black snake with orange-red bands and scattered pale markings lies partly coiled in a narrow space between a green wall and stacked cardboard boxes; its head is obscured.
Diet & ecological role

Preys on lizards, frogs, other amphibians, tadpoles, small rodents and other small mammals, birds and their eggs, and probably other snakes.

Behavior

It is oviparous and rear-fanged, with venom that is extremely toxic to anole lizards.

⚠️ Risk & safety

Risk Level

Venomous Nonlethal

📍📈 Local frequency

single

📖✨ Stories

Stefan K.: On December 28, 2023, this snake was found directly in front of the guest house. It caused an initial fright until a neighbor experienced with snakes identified it as a false coral snake and said it was not dangerous. It was then gently guided back into the bushes with a broomstick.

🎬 Related videos

Will be added if we are lucky enough to film an encounter.

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