Texas coral snake

species of reptile

The Texas coral snake (Micrurus tener) is a species of venomous snake. All coral snakes are shy, secretive animals, and are nocturnal. They spend most of their time hiding in leaf litter, under logs, or in burrows in the ground.

Texas coral snake
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Micrurus
Species:
M. tener
Binomial name
Micrurus tener
(Baird & Girard, 1853)
Synonyms
  • Elaps tenere
    Baird & Girard, 1853
  • Micrurus fulvius tener
    Conant & Collins, 1991
  • Micrurus tener
    — Collins, 1991

Description

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The Texas coral snake has a pattern of black,yellow, and red stripes on its skin. It is able to grow to the length of 40 inches(100cm) but most grow to around 24 inches(61cm). Males are smaller than females. They have smooth scales, a round head, and eyes with round pupils.

Where they live

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It ranges from the southern United States, south to northeastern and central Mexico. It lives in the states of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, Querétaro and Morelos.

They mainly eat other snakes, they will also sometimes eat small lizards.

References

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  1. Hammerson GA, Lavin P, Mendoza Quijano F (2007). "Micrurus tener ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007: e.T64033A12738512. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T64033A12738512.en.