What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Fitzinger's Coral Snake Bite
• Micrurus Tener Snake Bite
• Texas Harlequin Snake Bite

What is Texas Coral Snake Bite? (Definition/Background Information)

• The Texas coral snake (Micrurus tener) is a moderately venomous snake found in Central and North America, including in Mexico and parts of south central USA, notably in Texas state. The snake belongs to the Elapidae family that generally includes slender and swift moving snakes, of genus coral snakes (Micrurus) that form a large group of elegant and ‘mostly’ brightly colored and banded venomous reptiles. There are several subspecies of Micrurus tener
• The body of the snake is slender, and it has a small, rounded head and blunt snout. The head and neck of the snake are almost continuous (same size). The snake’s body is typically cylindrical and uniform in size; it has a very short tail. The tail does not mimic the head, such as noted in some other coral snake species
• Like many colorful and glossy coral snakes, the Texas coral snake is characterized by a black head with a yellow collar-like band. The snake pattern consists of wide red bands, separated by slightly narrower black bands with yellow rings at either ends. The snake’s tail may have alternating black and yellow bands. According to reports, the melanistic color variations of this snake makes its identification difficult in some cases
• The snake may range in size from above 1.5 feet to slightly over 4 feet in length. The Texas coral snake is terrestrial and generally feeds on small lizards, other snakes (including on other coral snakes), typically during late evenings and night. The snake is found in mesquite-grassland, pine-oak forest, thorn forest and desert, usually in moist areas, such as under rotting logs, leaf litter, near rivers, lakes, and streams, and rocky hillsides and canyons. The snake may be seen at altitudes of up to 6,700 feet (2,000 m)
• Like many coral snakes, the snake is typically solitary and docile and tends to silently move away when disturbed. Texas Coral Snake Bites can rarely result in fatalities due to systemic envenomation (venom injection through a bite) in the absence of treatment. The potent myotoxic-neurotoxic venom released can cause systemic effects including significant muscle damage and respiratory distress
• The signs and symptoms of Texas Coral Snake Bite may include mild local effects at the bite site, such as pain and swelling. As various body systems gets rapidly affected by the venom, it can result in widespread symptoms including abdominal pain, diarrhea, convulsions, dizziness, flaccid paralysis, and kidney failure
• Early administration of suitable antivenom (or antivenin) is the mainstay of treatment. Apart from this, symptomatic treatment is necessary, which may include pain medication, intravenous fluid administration, respiratory support, and peritoneal dialysis, as needed. The prognosis of Texas Coral Snake Bite with prompt and effective therapy is usually good, but deaths have been reported without adequate treatment