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Text and photos by Nick Baker, unless otherwise stated

 EcologyAsia 2008
Copyright ©
 
 
     

 

 
   
Banded Malayan Coral Snake
   

Specimen found in the Portsdown Road area of  Singapore.


The underside is strikingly patterned in black and white.

Family : ELAPIDAE
Species : Maticora intestinalis
Maximum Size : 50 cm

References : H1, H2

 

This small species has a powerful neurotoxic venom and should be approached with care. It inhabits forests areas, and sometimes overgrown areas of parks and gardens. It is ground dwelling, and feeds mainly on other snakes, particularly the tiny Brahminy Blind Snake.

 
 

Close-up of the slender head

   
 
 

The tip of the tail is
bright red.

It can be identified by the reddish-orange vertebral stripe, and the  red tail. On either side there is a pale lateral stripe. When threatened, the snake turns over to reveal the underside, which is  is dramatically patterned in black and white. 

The species is found in southern Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, Java, Sumatra, Borneo and the Philippines.