| Bibron's coral snake | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Calliophis |
| Species: | C. bibroni |
| Binomial name | |
| Calliophis bibroni (Jan, 1858) |
|
| Synonyms | |
Bibron's coral snake (Calliophis bibroni) is a species of venomous elapid snake. It is named after Gabriel Bibron (1806-1848), French zoologist.
It is endemic to the Western Ghats of India.
Eye minute, diameter about half its distance from mouth. Frontal nearly as long as its distance from snout, much shorter than parietals; no preocular; prefrontal in contact with third upper labial; one very small postocular; temporals 1+1; seven upper labials, third and fourth entering orbit; first lower labial much elongate, forming a long suture with its fellow; anterior chin shields small, much shorter than posterior, in contact with third and fourth lower labials. Dorsal scales smooth, without apical pits, in 13 rows. Ventrals 222-226; anal entire; subcaudals paired 27-34.
Cherry-red to dark purplish brown above, red beneath, with black crossbands which are sometimes continuous across the belly; anterior part of head black above.
Adults may attain a total length of 64 cm (25 inches), with a tail length of 5 cm (2 inches).[1]