Wednesday, 30 July 2025 International Friendship Day, officially recognized by the United Nations, is celebrated annually on 30 July to emphasize the importance of friendship in fostering peace, solidarity, and mutual understanding among peoples and cultures across the globe. The day encourages individuals, communities, and nations to build bridges of harmony, especially in times of rising tension, conflict, or division.
Aquatic Coral Snake (Micrurus surinamensis) The Silent, Swimming Danger of the Amazon The Amazon rainforest is teeming with life, from vibrant birds to camouflaged predators that lurk silently among the foliage. But beneath the surface of its murky rivers and swampy backwaters lies one of its most elusive and fascinating dangers — the Aquatic Coral Snake (Micrurus surinamensis). Also known as the Surinam Coral Snake or the Water Coral Snake, this rare species belongs to the family Elapidae, a group known for some of the world’s deadliest venomous snakes, including cobras and kraits. What makes Micrurus surinamensis especially unique is that it is one of the very few truly aquatic venomous snakes. Physical Description The Aquatic Coral Snake is a slender, medium-sized snake, typically ranging from 70 cm to just over a meter in length. Like its terrestrial relatives, it exhibits the classic coral snake warning coloration — a series of bright red, black, and yellow (or white) rings that e...