Product Code Database
Micrurus tener, Common name known as the Texas coral snake, is a species of snake in the family Elapidae. It is native to the southern United States and adjacent northeastern and central Mexico. Six subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies, Micrurus tener tener The species Micrurus tener was once considered to be a subspecies of the eastern coral snake ( Micrurus fulvius).
When grabbed suddenly, or sometimes just when touched, they may thrash about, swing around, and bite.
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.
The Texas coral snake can deliver 10-12 mg of venom in a single bite.
North American Coral Snake Antivenin (NACSA), formerly produced by Wyeth, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer, is the only antivenom approved by the FDA for use in the United States. 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, though the FDA has allowed this expiration date to be extended. 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.
Nota bene: A Trinomen 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 Subspecies, fitzingeri, is in honor of Austrians Herpetology Leopold Fitzinger.Bo Beolens; Watkins, Michael; Michael Grayson (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. . ( Micrurus tener fitzingeri, p. 91).
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.
Etymology
The Latin specific name, tener, means "soft or delicate". This is in reference to the graceful features of the snake.
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 morphological differences to be considered its own species.
Further reading
External links
|
|
