Nature Field Guide
Forest Flame Snake
- Spanish name
- Falsa coral de bosque
- Scientific name
- Oxyrhopus petolarius
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Pico: “What helps this reptile fit into its habitat?”
Tati: “Let’s look at its shape, colors and surroundings while giving it plenty of space.”
Species overview
About the Forest Flame Snake
The forest flame snake can show a red or orange body crossed by dark bands, with a dark head. Appearance changes with age and varies between individuals, so one illustration cannot represent every animal.
Its bright pattern invites comparison with coral snakes, but color patterns are not a safe handling guide. Leave every snake alone and ask an experienced local guide for identification help. Forest-floor cover gives snakes shelter and places to find prey; keeping that cover intact benefits the wider community of small animals too.
Identification
Key Features of the Forest Flame Snake
Dark head
Red-to-orange areas with dark crossbands
Slender body with variable markings
Habitat & range
Humid Caribbean-slope and southern Pacific forests and their edges in Costa Rica.
Local observations
Native species recorded in Costa Rica. Sightings depend on suitable habitat and locality.
When to observe
Observe on a suitable guided outing. Activity varies with weather, season and locality; do not disturb a resting or hidden animal.
Conservation & care
Observe from a distance with an adult or qualified guide. Do not touch, catch, corner, feed or move any snake. Keep children and pets away. Colors, head shape and pupil shape must never be used to decide a snake is safe.
Threats & pressures
Protect connected habitat and natural shelters. Avoid collection, unnecessary clearing and deliberate killing. Leave wildlife in place and support responsible observation.
Observation activity
Compare broad bands and narrow bands in the illustration. Write: colors never give permission to touch a snake.
Explore by location
Caribbean · Central Pacific · Northern Plains · South Pacific · Alajuela · Heredia · Limón · Puntarenas · San José