Texas Coral Snake (May 16, 2007)

Conroe, Texas

The Texas Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius tener) is highly venomous, capable of striking at objects within the length of its body.  BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS, DO NOT APPROACH OR TRY TO HANDLE THIS SNAKE; DECAPITATED SPECIMENS MAY REMAIN CAPABLE OF INFLICTING DEADLY BITES.  Unlike pit vipers, the Texas coral snake does not inject its venom in one rapid movement; instead, the teeth are pressed into the victim's flesh, and the venom is pumped into the punctures as the snake exerts pressure on the bite; the snake bites down, then continues to maintain its grip for a period of time; it is crucial, therefore, to remove the snake from the bite wound as quickly as possible.

KRISTY WROTE: Mr. Cates---My husband, Don, recently emailed you with a picture of a copperhead our dog cornered in the backyard.  I thought you might enjoy seeing the coral snake he killed back on the 25th of April.

Our dog is an outstanding snaker and has a very distinct bark when he corners one.  (That was the case with the copperhead.  We'd just come in from running errands and our dog was barking.  I sent the kids to tell their dad there was a snake before I even went outside to investigate.)  This particular evening our dog was barking at the covered bbq grill on the back porch.  When Don went out to investigate the snake raced into our shed (also on the patio) and hid underneath our dog's crate.  Don caught a brief glimpse of the snake and initially thought it was a milk snake.  He was hoping to show the kids.

When he pulled the crate out of the way, he discovered that the rings were most definitely red and yellow and the snake was very aggressive.  He happened to have a recently sharpened machete on a shelf in the shed and was able to kill it with that.

I came home about 15 minutes later and, being a homeschool mom, had Don put a section of the carcass into a jar with alcohol.  I wanted our kids to be able to really study the markings.  We also showed several of our neighbors.  I've seen a lot of snakes, but never a coral in person.

As I said, this picture is just a section of the snake.  Don estimated it to be between 3 and 3.5 feet in length.  I'm just glad he was home to find it!

We love your website and all of the pictures.  :o)

Kristy A., Conroe, TX

MY REPLY: Kristy---I'm glad the website is helpful.  Thanks for the photo.  I hope your are using a snake repellent in your back yard these days---Jerry

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The Texas coral snake is one of our most colorful snakes.  The photo below is of a section of a  Texas coral snake's body that was preserved after the snake was killed.  Note that the markings consist of bands that encircle the entire body laterally.  The photo does not show this, but the bands truly encircle the entire body, including the belly, and the only way one can distinguish the belly from the snake's back is to note (1) that the belly scales are like those of other snakes, only retaining the coloration of the sides and back, and (2) that the black speckles within the red bands, which are numerous on the sides and back, are not as numerous on the belly.

Some other snakes in Texas appear to have similar markings to the Texas coral snake.  However, in almost none of those species is the red touching the yellow.  Instead, on our non-poisonous snakes with red, yellow, and black markings, the black and red markings touch.  Thus the rhyme "Red touch yellow, kill a fellow; red touch black, friend of Jack". One apparent exception to this rule is the Texas long-nosed snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei tessellatus), whose dorsal markings consist of red, black, and yellow bands. However, the yellow coloration in the Texas long-nosed snake does not form bands, but is displayed on the spine, not on the snake's sides, and even there are merely discontinuous, dotted margins around the snake's broader red markings, rather than the distinct, continuous bands found on the Texas coral snake.

This coral snake was found in a back yard in Conroe, Texas. It measured 36-42 inches in length. The typical Texas coral snake is no more than 2 feet long, though it isn't extraordinary to find one 36 inches long. One longer than that, which this may have been, is rare. The record is 47.25 inches, and was collected in Brazoria County in 1984.

Snake repellents are probably effective, when used according to label directions, at keeping this snake out of yards and other areas. I have used such repellents where snakes have been sighted in the past with excellent results.

Many thanks to Kristy A., the photographer, for sending the photo and a report on this snake's discovery in her back yard.

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