Family: Elapidae (Elapids)
Subfamily: Elapidae
Genus: Calliophis (Coral Snakes)

Picture: Stefan Halter

Calliophis bivirgatus, subspecies flaviceps (Blue Coral Snake)
Thai: (ngu pik tong daeng)

Length: Up to 180 cm, however usually only around 140 cm

Occurrence:
The Blue Coral Snake only lives deep in Southern Thailand, south of Songkhla.

Behaviour/habitat:
Calliophis bivirgatus flaviceps is almost exclusively found in wooded regions, the hills and lower mountainous regions up to a height of 500 to 900 meters. They prefer living near water and hide themselves under rotting trees and leaves and under stones. The snakes are usually nocturnal but are sometimes active during the day. They move very slowly. If threatened, they roll their tail up and turn the red side to face upwards.

Danger:
Although they are generally peaceful and not counted as keen on biting, cases are known where the victim has died due to the amount and strength of the poison. For this reason, the Blue Coral Snake must be counted as highly dangerous.

Picture: J. Bulian

Calliophis maculiceps (Small-spotted Coral Snake, Speckled Coral Snake)
Thai: (ngu plong wai hua dam)

Size: 50 cm

Occurrence:
In the whole of Thailand in the flat and lower mountainous areas. Since it nourishes itself predominantly on worms, it lives almost exclusively underground. You will usually only see this snake during the mating season in September and October. They come above ground in the evening.

Behaviour:
The animals are very peaceable and do not bite even if picked up. With their very small head, it is doubtful if they are able to poison humans with a bite.

Danger: No poison information is present. The species is probably not dangerous to humans.