Galapagos Species Database
The Galapagos Species Database shares the information about the species from our Natural History Collections.
Lampropeltis micropholis
Coral ratonera/coralillo/Falsa coral, Ecuadorian Milkshake
Reported in local newspaper El Colono (primera edicion de Marzo 2014): The specimen was found by Galapagos residents at approx. 20:00 p.m. on February 21st, 2014 near the PNG control station, below Santa Rosa. The reptile was discovered inside the tubular aluminum posts used for construction of the new power line. This single specimen was introduced accidentally and no other individuals were found.
Domain
Eukaryota
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Suborder
Serpentes
Family
Dipsadidae
Genus
Lampropeltis
Species
micropholis
Taxon category: Accepted
Jimenéz-Uzcátegui, G.: The report of Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae Williams, 1978, was based on a local newspaper report in El Colono, but the material of this introduced snake was later analyzed and the correct identification is Lampropeltis micropholis based on the report from Sevilla and Rueda 2014, and personal conversation with Cisneros D.
Origin: Introduced - not established
Year of first record: 2014
Year of introduction: 2014
Mode of introduction: Accidental
Introduction Pathway: Stowaway
Subpathway: Hitchhiker on transport vehicles/cargo
Introduced status: Intercepted
- Arteaga, A. Bustamante, L., Vierira, J., Tapia, W., Guayasamin, J.M. (2019) Reptiles of the Galapagos Life on the Enchanted Islands Tropical Herping
- Sevilla, C. Rueda, D. (2014) Registro e identificación de una nueva especie introducida: Culebra Falsa Coral Informe Técnico de la DPNG. Puerto Ayora, Ecuador. 7 pp.
You are welcome to download and use the information found in this page, acknowledging its source.
This page should be cited as follows:
"Galapagos Species Database, Lampropeltis micropholis", dataZone. Charles Darwin Foundation, https://datazone.darwinfoundation.org/en/checklist?species=18039. Accessed 3 April 2026.