Texas Coralsnake

The Texas coral snake has the traditional coloration associated with coral snakes: black, yellow, and red rings. These rings extend onto the belly. It is capable of growing to 48 in (122 cm) in total length (tail included), but most are closer to 24 in (61 cm). 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.

The Texas coral snake ranges from the southern United States south to northeastern and central Mexico. It is found in the U.S. states of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas; and the Mexican states of Guanajato, Morelos, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, and Tamaulipas.

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 78 °F (26 °C). When grabbed suddenly, or sometimes just when touched, they may thrash about, swing around, and bite.

The Latin specific name, tener, means "soft or delicate". This is in reference to the graceful features of the snake. The subspecific name, bernadi, is in honor of French physician Santiago Bernad, who practiced medicine in Zacualtipán, Hidalgo, Mexico, where he collected the holotype. The subspecific name, fitzingeri, is in honor of Austrian herpetologist Leopold Fitzinger. 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.