{{Short description|Species of snake}} {{Refimprove|date=April 2025}} {{Speciesbox | image = Micrurus tener.jpg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 20 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Hammerson, G.A. |author-link=species:Geoffrey A. Hammerson |author2=Lavin, P. |author2-link=species:Pablo Antonio Lavin-Murcio |author3=Mendoza Quijano, F. |author3-link=species:Fernando Mendoza-Quijano |date=2007 |title=''Micrurus tener '' |volume=2007 |article-number=e.T64033A12738512 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T64033A12738512.en |access-date=20 November 2021}}</ref> | genus = Micrurus | species = tener | authority = ([[Spencer Fullerton Baird|Baird]] & [[Charles Frédéric Girard|Girard]], 1853) | range_map = Micrurus tener Map.jpg | synonyms = *''Elaps tenere'' <br />{{small|Baird & Girard, 1853}} *''Micrurus fulvius tener'' <br />{{small|— [[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant]] & [[Joseph T. Collins|Collins]], 1991}} *''Micrurus tener'' <br />{{small|— Collins, 1991}} | synonyms_ref = <ref name=RDB/> }}
'''''Micrurus tener''''', [[Common name|commonly]] known as the '''Texas coral snake''', is a [[species]] of [[venomous snake]] in the [[Family (taxonomy)|family]] [[Elapidae]]. The species is native to the southern and southwestern [[United States]] and adjacent northeastern and central [[Mexico]]. Six [[subspecies]] are recognized as being valid, including the [[nominotypical subspecies]], ''Micrurus tener tener''.<ref name="iucn status 20 November 2021" /><ref name=RDB>{{EMBL species|genus=Micrurus|species=tener|accessdate=26 October 2013}}</ref> Although originally described as a species new to science, ''Micrurus tener'' was for many years considered to be a subspecies of the eastern coral snake (''[[Micrurus fulvius]]'').
==Geographic range== [[File:USA Coral Snake Range.png|thumb|USA coral snake range]]
The Texas coral snake ranges from the [[Southern United States|southern]] [[United States]] south to northeastern and central [[Mexico]]. It inhabits the states of [[Texas]], [[Louisiana]] and [[Arkansas]], and the Mexican states of [[Tamaulipas]], [[San Luis Potosí]], [[Guanajuato]], [[Querétaro]] and [[Morelos]].<ref name=RDB/>
==Description== The Texas coral snake has the traditional coloration associated with coral snakes: black, yellow, and red rings.<ref name=Pow/> These rings extend onto the belly.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-26 |title=''Micrurus tener tener'' Texas Gulf-Coast Coralsnake {{!}} Herps of Arkansas |url=https://herpsofarkansas.com/reptiles/snakes/micrurus-tener/ |access-date=2023-03-31 |language=en-US}}</ref> It is capable of growing to 48 in (122 cm) in total length (tail included), but most are closer to {{convert|24|in|cm|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Pow>[[Robert Powell (herpetologist)|Powell R]], [[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant R]], [[Joseph T. Collins|Collins JT]] (2016). ''Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Fourth Edition''. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. xiv + 494 pp., 47 plates, 207 Figures. {{ISBN|978-0-544-12997-9}}. (''Micrurus tener'', pp. 434-435, Figure 196 + Plate 44).</ref> Males are typically smaller than females.<ref name="Quinn">{{cite journal |last1=Quinn |first1=Hugh R. |author-link=species:Hugh R. Quinn |title=Reproduction and Growth of the Texas Coral Snake (''Micrurus fulvius tenere'') |journal=Copeia |date=1 August 1979 |volume=1979 |issue=3 |page=461 |doi=10.2307/1443222 |jstor=1443222 |hdl=11244/19160 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> It has smooth [[dorsal scales]], a rounded head, and the [[eyes]] have round [[pupil]]s. [[Albinism in biology|Albinistic]] (lacking black pigment) and [[anerythristic]] (lacking red pigment) specimens have been found in the wild.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}} "Pastel" (pink, translucent cream, and very light blue) coloration has been noted, and completely black ([[Melanism|melanistic]]) specimens, are known.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}} The Texas coral snake is somewhat larger (longer and stouter) than the eastern coral snake (''[[Micrurus fulvius]]''), and has a somewhat larger venom yield.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}}
==Behavior== All coral snakes are shy, secretive animals, typically [[nocturnal animal|nocturnal]]. They spend most of their time hiding in leaf litter, under logs. They can be seen crawling on the surface, after heavy rains, when the nighttime temperatures rise above {{convert|78|F|C}}.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}}
When grabbed suddenly, or sometimes just when touched, they may thrash about, swing around, and bite.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}}
==Diet== The primary [[diet (nutrition)|diet]] of the Texas coral snake consists of other snakes, primarily [[earth snake]]s, and other small [[fossorial]] species.<ref name="Tivador">{{cite journal |last1=Tivador |first1=Edward J. |last2=Bonge |first2=Samuel |last3=Rodriguez |first3=Stephanie |last4=Woniak |first4=Jeffery R. |last5=Lutterschmidt |first5=William I. |display-authors=1 |title=A Photographic Record of a Rare Ophidian Predation Event |journal=Southeastern Naturalist |date=2011 |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=561–562 |doi=10.1656/058.010.0317 |jstor=41262936 |s2cid=84739734 }}</ref> It is cannibalistic.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Curtis |first1=Lawrence |title=Cannibalism in the Texas Coral Snake |journal=Herpetologica |date=15 July 1952 |volume=8 |issue=2 |page=27 |jstor=20171236 }}</ref> It also occasionally eats small [[lizard]]s,<ref name="Tivador"/> but the consumption of [[rodent]]s by coral snakes is rare.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}}
==Reproduction== The Texas coral snake is [[Oviparity|oviparous]].<ref name=Pow/>
==Mimicry== Other nonvenomous snakes resemble the Texas coral snake as a form of [[Batesian mimicry]]. In the United States only, all three species of venomous coral snakes (''[[Micruroides euryxanthus]]'', ''Micrurus fulvius'', and ''Micrurus tener'') can be identified by the red rings contacting the yellow rings. A common mnemonic device is "red and yellow, kill a fellow. Red on black, friend of Jack". However, this mnemonic is not always accurate, due to the aforementioned color variations, and its usage is dangerous to both snakes and humans.<ref name=Pow/>
==Venom== [[File:Texas Coral Snake (Micrurus tener) photographed in Houston Co., Texas. W. L. Farr.jpg|thumb|300px|Texas Coral Snake (''Micrurus t. tener'') foraging in a pine forest at night, Houston Co., Texas (18 May 2017)]]
Coral snakes are [[Proteroglypha|proteroglyphous]], meaning they have a pair of deeply grooved, semihollow, chisel-shaped, fixed fangs in the front of its upper jaw, through which venom is injected. Though it was previously thought that they to need to gnaw to inject venom, Coral snakes need only a quick bite to deliver a significant amount of venom. Many bites from coral snakes do not inject any venom at all (known as a dry bite).{{citation needed|date=February 2018}}
Texas coral snake venom contains [[neurotoxin]] and [[myotoxin]]. Bite victims may experience potentially lethal [[paralysis]] or [[myolysis]]. Immediate first aid measures for a bite can include removing any jewelry on a limb that has been bitten (in case of severe swelling) and wrapping the bite area moderately tightly in a wide cloth; however, the bitten limb should be moved as little as possible. Bite victims should be taken to the nearest hospital as soon as possible for more advanced lifesaving measures, such as application of [[antivenom]].<ref name="toxinology">{{cite web |title=Micrurus tener |url=http://www.toxinology.com/fusebox.cfm?fuseaction=main.snakes.display&id=SN2554 |website=Clinical Toxinology Resources |publisher=The University of Adelaide, Australia |access-date=28 March 2024}}</ref>
The Texas coral snake can deliver 10-12 mg of venom in a single bite.<ref name="toxinology"></ref>
North American Coral Snake Antivenin (NACSA), formerly produced by [[Wyeth|Wyeth Pharmaceuticals]], a wholly owned subsidiary of [[Pfizer]], is the only antivenom approved by the [[FDA]] for use in the United States.<ref name="CBS17"/> However, Wyeth stopped producing the antivenom in 2003, citing low demand and the high cost of manufacturing. The last lot produced was set to expire in 2008,<ref name="OrlandoSentinel">{{cite web |title=Risk from coral-snake bites grows as antivenin dwindles |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2013/10/12/risk-from-coral-snake-bites-grows-as-antivenin-dwindles/ |website=Orlando Sentinel |access-date=14 February 2025 |date=12 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Roser |first1=Mary Ann |title=Snake bite but no antidote for dog, and dwindling supply for humans |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/local/2012/09/22/snake-bite-but-no-antidote-for-dog-and-dwindling-supply-for-humans/9861604007/ |access-date=9 September 2022 |work=Austin American Statesman |date=22 September 2012 |url-access=limited}}</ref> though the FDA has allowed this expiration date to be extended.<ref>{{cite web |title=Expiration Date Extension for North American Coral Snake Antivenin (''Micrurus fulvius'') (Equine Origin) Lot L67530 through January 31, 2020 |url=https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/safety-availability-biologics/expiration-date-extension-north-american-coral-snake-antivenin-micrurus-fulvius-equine-origin-lot-0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930005113/https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/safety-availability-biologics/expiration-date-extension-north-american-coral-snake-antivenin-micrurus-fulvius-equine-origin-lot-0 |archive-date=September 30, 2019 |publisher=Food and Drug Administration |access-date=9 September 2022}}</ref> Prior to the availability of antivenin, the fatality rate of coral snake envenomations has been estimated at 10%,<ref name="CBS17">{{cite web |last1=Strong |first1=Ted |title=Dog saved from coral snake bite by increasingly rare antivenin |url=https://www.cbs17.com/news/dog-saved-from-coral-snake-bite-by-increasingly-rare-antivenin/ |website=CBS17.com |date=29 April 2017}}</ref> and death was primarily due to respiratory or cardiovascular failure as a result of paralysis induced by the neurotoxic venom.
==Subspecies== The six recognized [[subspecies]] of ''M. tener'' are: *''[[Micrurus tener tener|M. t. tener]]'' {{small|([[Spencer Fullerton Baird|Baird]] & [[Charles Frédéric Girard|Girard]], 1853)}} *''M. t. fitzingeri'' {{small|([[Giorgio Jan|Jan]], 1858)}} *''M. t. bernadi'' {{small|([[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], 1887)}} *''M. t. maculatus'' {{small|[[Janis Roze|Roze]], 1967}} *''M. t. microgalbineus'' {{small|[[species:Bryce Cardigan Brown|B.C. Brown]] & [[Hobart Muir Smith|H.M. Smith]], 1942}} *''M. t. tamaulipensis'' {{small|[[species:Pablo Antonio Lavin-Murcio|Lavin-Murcio]] & [[James R. Dixon|Dixon]], 2004}}
''[[Nota bene]]'': A [[Trinomen|trinomial]] authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than ''Micrurus''.
''M. t. tener'' is found in both the U.S. and Mexico, whereas the other four subspecies are [[endemic]] to Mexico.<ref name=RDB/>
==Etymology== The Latin [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]], ''tener'', means "soft or delicate". This is in reference to the graceful features of the snake.
The [[Subspecies|subspecific name]], ''fitzingeri'', is in honor of [[Austrians|Austrian]] [[Herpetology|herpetologist]] [[Leopold Fitzinger]].<ref>[[Bo Beolens|Beolens, Bo]]; [[Michael Watkins (zoologist)|Watkins, Michael]]; [[Michael Grayson|Grayson, Michael]] (2011). ''The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles''. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. {{ISBN|978-1-4214-0135-5}}. (''Micrurus tener fitzingeri'', p. 91).</ref>
The name ''maculatus'' (Latin for "spotted") refers to the presence of some large black spots in the red rings.
The name ''microgalbineus'' is derived from a modern Latin adaptation of the original Greek word ''micro'' meaning "small or tiny" and ''galbineus'', Latin for "greenish yellow". The name ''microgalbineus'' alludes to the narrow yellowish rings of this subspecies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Micrurus tener '' |url=https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species.php?genus=Micrurus&species=tener |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=The Reptile Database}}</ref>
==Taxonomy== The Texas coral snake was once considered a subspecies of the eastern coral snake, ''[[Micrurus fulvius]]'', but more recent research has determined that it has enough [[comparative anatomy|morphological]] differences to be considered its own species.<ref name="iucn status 20 November 2021" /> ==References== {{Commons category}} {{Wikispecies}} {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== *[[Spencer Fullerton Baird|Baird SF]], [[Charles Frédéric Girard|Girard C]] (1853). ''Catalogue of North American Reptiles in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. Part I.—Serpentes.'' Washington, District of Columbia: Smithsonian Institution. xvi + 172 pp. (''Elaps tenere'', new species, pp. 22–23). *[[species:Bryce Cardigan Brown|Brown BC]], [[Hobart Muir Smith|Smith HM]] (1942). "A New Subspecies of Mexican Coral Snake". ''Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington'' '''55''': 63–65. (''Micrurus fitzingeri microgalbineus'', new subspecies). *[[species:Brian Hubbs|Hubbs B]], [[species:Brendan O'Connor|O'Connor B]] (2012) ''A Guide to the Rattlesnakes and other Venomous Serpents of the United States''. Tempe, Arizona: Tricolor Books. 129 pp. {{ISBN|978-0-9754641-3-7}}. (''Micrurus tener tener'', pp. 89–90). *[[Giorgio Jan|Jan [G]]] (1858). "''Plan d'une'' Iconographie descriptive des Ophidiens ''et Description sommaire de nouvelles espèces de Serpents'' ". ''Revue et Magasin de Zoologie Pure et Appliquée, Paris'', Series 2, '''10''': 438–449, 514–527. (''Elaps fitzingeri'', new species, p. 521). (in [[French language|French]]). *[[Janis Roze|Roze JA]] (1967). "A Check List of the New World Venomous Coral Snakes (Elapidae), with Descriptions of New Forms". ''American Museum Novitates'' (2287): 1-60. (''Micrurus fulvius maculatus'', new subspecies, pp. 27–28, Figure 10). *[[Karl Patterson Schmidt|Schmidt KP]], [[Delbert Dwight Davis|Davis DD]] (1941). ''Field Book of Snakes of the United States and Canada''. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. 365 pp. (''Micrurus fulvius tenere'', pp. 274–276).
==External links== *[http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic542.htm eMedicine: Coral Snake Envenomations] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060712074135/http://www.houstonherp.com/Coral.htm Houston Herp: Texas Coral Snake]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1615145}}
[[Category:Micrurus|tener]] [[Category:Reptiles described in 1853]] [[Category:Snakes of North America]] [[Category:Reptiles of the United States]] [[Category:Fauna of the Southeastern United States]] [[Category:Reptiles of Mexico]] [[Category:Taxa named by Spencer Fullerton Baird]] [[Category:Taxa named by Charles Frédéric Girard]]