Texas coral snake venom is powerful. Until 2006, no deaths from coral snake bites occurred since the 1970s in the United States. However, rare, fatal bites happened in the 1980s and 1990s.
Texas coral snakes have the second most powerful venom globally. They grow 24 to 48 inches long. They stay under leaves and brush piles during the day. Sometimes they shelter under boards.
Coral snakes rarely attack. Their venom resembles cobras’ venom; it is neurotoxic. “Red touch yellow, kill a fellow” helps identify coral snakes. The red and yellow rings touch. Many people confuse coral snakes with nonvenomous snakes.
You don’t need to kill coral snakes. Traps catch them well. Coral snakes are not aggressive. They try fleeing if possible. Antivenin treats coral snake bites. It works against all North American coral snakes except the Sonoran coral snake. Coral snakes have red bands touching yellow rings. Milk snakes have red bands touching black rings.
What is the difference between a coral snake and a Texas coral snake?
The Texas coral snake has the traditional coloration associated with coral snakes: black, yellow, and red rings. It is capable of growing to 48 in in total length, but most are closer to 24 in. The main difference between a coral snake and a king snake is their color. Coral snakes have red bands separated by black rings. King snakes have wide red bands separated by thin yellow or white rings. Moreover, coral snakes also have a small, triangular-shaped head. The king snake has a giant head and a rounder face.
The scarlet kingsnake copies the stripe patterns of coral snakes so well that people use rhymes to tell them apart: “If red touches yellow you’re a dead fellow if red touches black you’re all right Jack.” However, this rhyme only helps identify a typical American coral snake. There are many coral snakes with unusual patterns. In addition, Arizona has a small, non-venomous Sonoran shovel-nosed snake, which has red and yellow stripes.
One of the biggest differences between king snakes and coral snakes is their venom. Coral snakes have short, permanently erect fangs. Their venom contains an extremely powerful neurotoxin that affects the brain’s ability to control muscles.
In areas where both coral snakes and scarlet king snakes are found, there is a saying that helps people remember the difference: “yellow on red kills, black on red kills friends”. However, there are many coral snakes with unusual patterns. The quickest way to identify if the snake is venomous is by the order of the colors. Please note, this is only for North American species.
Texas milk snakes grow to between 24 and 35 inches. They have very similar markings to coral snakes. The main way to identify them is a white stripe instead of a yellow one, with the red stripes touching the black ones instead of the yellow. Milk snakes have 25 separate subspecies and can be found in a vast range around the world. In Texas, they’re typically found in forested areas.
How venomous is a coral snake?
Coral snakes are venomous. Their venom is neurotoxic and may result in paralysis or even death. Coral snake bites are rarely fatal to humans. However, a coral snake bite can be deadly for dogs, as the venom slowly paralyzes their respiratory system.
Coral snakes eat small reptiles and immobilize their prey with venom before eating it. They locate prey through keen senses of smell and sight.
Coral snakes are shy, reclusive snakes that prefer secluded woodland areas with plenty of cover. They are most active when temperatures reach 70°F or higher.
The main difference between a coral snake and a non-venomous king snake is their color patterns. Coral snakes have red bands touching yellow, while king snakes have wide red bands separated by thin yellow or white. Coral snakes also have smaller, triangular-shaped heads compared to the larger, rounder heads of king snakes.
While coral snakes are venomous, king snakes are non-venomous and beneficial predators of rodents and other snakes. King snakes may bite if provoked but their bites are not dangerous.
How do you identify a Texas coral snake?
Image of Texas Coral snake slithering in a grass. Coral snakes are not generally aggressive and will most likely flee any confrontation if given a chance to retreat. You can identify coral snakes by their bright red, yellow, and black stripes. Texas coral snakes are similar in appearance to some nonvenomous snakes, but the order of the colored rings can be used to distinguish them. “Red touch yellow, kill a fellow” can help you remember that if red and yellow rings of color are together on a snake, it is a Texas coral snake. They have small mouths and their colored bands do not wrap around their bodies to include their bellies. To tell a coral snake from similar snakes, look to see if the red stripe is next to the yellow stripe. If it is, then the snake you’re looking at is a venomous coral snake. Another way to remember the warning coloration is to think of a stoplight, where yellow means caution and red means stop.
The Texas coral snake is notable for its bands of black, yellow, and red. It has a diet consisting mostly of earth snakes and skinks. Found most often in the San Antonio Area, these beautiful snakes have extremely similar colors to other common snakes such as the milk snake and scarlet snake. Micrurus tener, commonly known as the Texas coral snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to the southern United States. Contrary to common myth, the Texas coral snake has short fixed fangs and is capable of easily injecting a neurotoxic venom into a person or large animal. They are capable of gaping wide and do not need to chew to envenomate. If you encounter a Texas Coral Snake, it is best to maintain a safe distance and avoid any attempt to handle or provoke the snake. Coral snakes generally prefer the arid scrub brush and woodlands.
When threatened, Texas Coral Snakes may exhibit defensive behaviors such as hiding their heads, coiling, and vibrating their tails. They may also bite if they feel cornered or provoked. While there may be some truly harmless yellow species out there, caution must always remain when encountering any reptile with this typical coloring combination. To ID a coral snake, look for a banded snake that’s typically less than 2 feet long. The body is marked with broad red-and-black bands interspaced with narrow yellow bands. But use caution, as these snakes can present wild color variations. Their snakelets display all of the colorful bands of adult snakes but are just seven inches long. Its lifespan is 10 to 15 years.
Like all coral snakes, Texas Coral Snakes have small, fixed fangs in the front of their mouth. They do not have hinged fangs. In the United States, the Texas Coral Snake is found in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. There are several different simple rhymes, but the key is – if the red and yellow bands touch, it’s probably a coral snake. Another quick identifying feature is that the coral snake’s head or nose is typically black. If you are unsure what kind of snake it is, leave it alone. During the day, Texas coral snakes spend time underground or hiding under brush.