Sinomicrurus kelloggi

Sinomicrurus kelloggi, also known commonly as Kellog's coral snake or Kellogg's coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to Southeast Asia.

Etymology

The specific name, kelloggi, is in honor of who was a zoologist and Christian missionary in China.

Geographic range

S. kelloggi is found in Vietnam, northern Laos, and southern China.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of S. kelloggi is forest, at altitudes of .

Description

The holotype of S. kelloggi measures , of which consist of the tail. This species has a black head, which has a white V-shaped spot. The dorsum is purple-brown with 22 black transverse markings with light rims. The venter is milky white with 49 black marks of variable size.

Behavior

S. kelloggi is terrestrial and nocturnal.

Diet

S. kelloggi preys upon small lizards and small snakes.

Reproduction

S. kelloggi is oviparous.

References

Further reading

• ; ; (2009). Herpetofauna of Vietnam. Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Edition Chimaira / Serpents Tale. 768 pp. .
• Slowinski, J.B.; ; (2001). "The phylogenetic relationships of Asian coral snakes (Elapidae: Calliophis and Maticora) based on morphological and molecular characters". Herpetologica 57 (2): 233–245. (Sinomicrurus kelloggi, new combination).
• Smith, M.A. (1943). The Fauna of British India, Ceylon and Burma, Including the Whole of the Indo-Chinese Sub-region. Reptilia and Amphibia. Vol. III.—Serpentes. London: Secretary of State for India. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 583 pp. (Callophis kelloggi, p. 426).