Texas coral snake

Species of snake
Speciesbox
| image = Micrurus tener. jpg
| status = LC
| status system = IUCN3.1
| status ref =
| genus = Micrurus
| species = tener
| authority = (Baird & Girard, 1853)
| range map = Micrurus tener Map. jpg
| synonyms = *Elaps tenere
Micrurus fulvius tener
Micrurus tener
| synonyms ref = The species Micrurus tener was once considered to be a subspecies of the eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius).

The Texas coral snake ranges from the 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. It is capable of growing to 48 in (122 cm) in total length (including tail), but most are closer to Males are typically smaller than females. It has smooth dorsal scales, a rounded head, and the eyes have round pupils. Albinistic (lacking black pigment) and anerythristic (lacking red pigment) specimens have been found in the wild. "Pastel" (pink, translucent cream, and very light blue) coloration has been noted, and completely black (melanistic) specimens, are known. The Texas coral snake is somewhat larger (longer and stouter) than the eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius), and has a somewhat larger venom yield.

All coral snakes are shy, secretive animals, typically 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
When grabbed suddenly, or sometimes just when touched, they may thrash about, swing around, and bite. Sometimes they are calm, and then suddenly swing around and bite, for no apparent reason.

The primary diet of the Texas coral snake consists of other snakes, primarily earth snakes, and other small fossorial species. It is cannibalistic. It also occasionally eats small lizards,

The Texas coral snake can deliver 10 12 mg of venom in a single bite. Because of the low profits, the production of coral snake antivenin has been discontinued for several years. Prior to the availability of antivenin, the fatality rate of coral snake envenomations has been estimated at 10%, and death was primarily due to respiratory or cardiovascular failure as a result of paralysis induced by the neurotoxic venom. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer, produced antivenin for the eastern coral snake, which can also be used for treatment of envenomation by the Texas coral snake. However, the last lot produced (Lot L67530) has an expiration date of January 31, 2020. as of 2021, Pfizer indicates that antivenom is available and one source states that production has resumed.

The six recognized subspecies of M. tener are:
M. t. tener
M. t. fitzingeri
M. t. bernadi
M. t. maculatus
M. t. microgalbineus
M. t. tamaulipensis

Nota bene: A 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. The name maculatus (Latin for spotted) refers to the presence of some large black spots in the red bands. The name microgalbineus is derived from a modern Latin adaptation of the original Greek word micro meaning small and tiny and galbineus, Latin for greenish yellow. The name microgalbineus alludes to the short yellowish bands of this subspecies.

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 morphological differences to be considered its own species.