Wildlife North America . com North American Animals - mamals, birds, reptiles, insects |
Texas Coral Snake (Micrurus tener)
Texas Coral Snake Photograph by LA-Dawson. Some rights reserved. (view image details)
TEXAS CORAL SNAKE FACTS
DescriptionThe Texas Coral Snake has red and black rings separated by narrow yellow rings with rings completely encircling the body. It is similar in appearance to the Eastern Coral Snake. The head is rounded with a black snout. Albino snakes (lacking black pigment) and anerythristic snakes (lacking red pigment) have been found in the wild. It is a shy and secretive snake and mainly nocturnal. (The pattern is similar to some of the non-venomous Kingsnake - Coral Snakes have red and yellow bands next to each other, but Kingsnakes have a black band separating the red and yellow. ) Size usually about 60cm, but can grow to 100cm Environment lowland areas, rocky hillsides, wooded canyons, subtropical forests, urban areas. Prefers soft soil with organic matter such as leaf litter, fallen twigs and branches. Food other smaller snakes (including venomous snakes), lizards. Breeding During June or July, females lay a clutch of 2 to 12 eggs in loose soil or rotten log. The young hatch about two months later, and are about 22cm long. Range found in southern United States including Texas, Louisiana west of the Mississippi river, and Arkansas. Also found in Mexico in the states of Tamaulipas, San Luis PotosÃ, Guanajuato, Querétaro to Morelos. Notes The Texas Coral Snake is venomous and capable of giving a fatal bite, although no fatalities have been reported since antivenin became available in the 1960s. The venom is a powerful neurotoxin. Prior to the availability of antivenin, the fatality rate was about 10%, with death mainly due to respiratory or cardiovascular failure. Many bites do not inject any venom, though. Bite symptoms may include tremors, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, eyelids drooping, fixed pupils, respiratory depression. Bites may not have any noticeable symptoms for up to 12 hours after bite. Seek immediate professional medical attention if bitten. Classification
Relatives in same Genus Eastern Coral Snake (M. fulvius) Home | Mammals | Reptiles | Birds | Insects | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Contact Us |