Yes, Texas is home to the Texas coral snake. This colorful, venomous reptile is worth knowing if you spend time outdoors here.
The Texas coral snake is the state’s only coral snake species. Its venom packs a punch, but you probably won’t run into one—they’re shy and keep to themselves.
These snakes look pretty striking: bold red, yellow, and black bands. It’s hard to mistake them for anything else.
Even though they have some of the most deadly venom in the world, they don’t pose the same threat as rattlesnakes.
They’re just not as feisty. If you’re curious, out of about 8,000 snake bites in the U.S. each year, only about 20 come from coral snakes.
If you’re hiking or poking around wild areas in Texas, it’s smart to know what these snakes look like.
Coral snake bites can be sneaky—there’s often little or no pain or swelling at first. That can be a real problem if you don’t get it checked out.
Are There Coral Snakes in Texas?
Yep, coral snakes definitely live in Texas. The Texas coral snake (Micrurus tener) is one of three coral snake species you’ll find in the U.S.
Not too long ago, scientists considered it a subspecies of the eastern coral snake, but now it stands on its own.
You’ll spot them by their classic black, yellow, and red rings, which even show up on their bellies.
There’s that old rhyme: “Red touch yellow, kill a fellow.” It’s not perfect, but it helps.
Most Texas coral snakes grow to about 24 inches, though some reach 48 inches.
Males usually end up smaller than females. They have rounded heads, smooth scales, and round pupils.
Their venom? It’s a serious neurotoxin—it can paralyze, shut down breathing, and even stop your heart if you don’t get help.
If one bites you, don’t wait around—get medical help right away.
You’ll usually find these snakes in:
- Wooded spots
- Rocky hillsides
- South Texas landscapes
- Areas stretching into northeastern and central Mexico
These secretive members of the Elapidae family would rather not deal with people.
They come out mostly at twilight or after dark, hiding under rocks or logs during the day.
And here’s a weird fact: unlike other venomous snakes in Texas, coral snakes lay eggs instead of giving live birth.
Snakes in Texas That Look Like Coral Snakes
Texas is home to a handful of nonvenomous snakes that do a pretty convincing impression of the venomous Texas coral snake.
This trick is known as Batesian mimicry, where harmless snakes try to pass themselves off as dangerous to avoid getting eaten. Nature gets creative, doesn’t it?
Probably the most common copycat is the scarlet kingsnake (Lampropeltis triangulum).
Folks usually rely on that old rhyme: “red touches black, friend of Jack; red touches yellow, kill a fellow.”
For coral snakes, red bands touch yellow. For kingsnakes, red touches black.
Another lookalike, the Texas long-nosed snake, shows off black and red blotches.
They skip the bright yellow bands and have a pointier snout compared to coral snakes.
The scarlet snake (Cemophora coccinea) throws in red, black, and white or cream colors.
Its red markings stick to the back, not wrapping all the way around like a real coral snake.
Then there’s the gray-banded kingsnake. Sometimes people mistake it for a coral snake, but its bands are usually grayer and the pattern’s a bit off.
A lot of these mimics hang out underground, come out at night, and snack on small prey.
Most lay eggs, unlike coral snakes, which give live birth.
If you’re trying to figure out what you’re looking at, check:
- Color pattern (which bands touch)
- Head shape (coral snakes have small, rounded heads)
- Size (coral snakes usually stay in the 24-30 inch range)
- Dorsal scales (smooth on coral snakes)
Best advice? Watch from a distance, and don’t pick up any flashy snake unless you’re totally sure what it is. Why risk it?