Price, Andrew. 1998. Poisonous of . Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Distributed by University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas.

Tenant, Alan. 1998. A Field Guide to Texas Snakes. Gulf Publishing Com- pany, Houston, Texas.

Texas Coral , Micrurus fulvius Werler, John E. & James R. Dixon. tenere. This species averages 20 2000. Texas Snakes: Identification, inches (record 47 inches). Slender, Distribution, and Natural History. Uni- brightly colored snake with red, black versity of Texas Press, Austin, Texas. and yellow bands that completely en- circle the body. Red and yellow color touch. Venomous Snakes of East Texas

Additional, more in depth information Written by: Gordon B. Henley, Jr. Zoo on snakes of Texas, in particular the Director venomous species, can be found in Photos by: Celia K. Falzone, General the following publications: Curator Editorial Assistance provided by: Conant, Roger & Joseph T. Collins. J. Colin Crawford, Education Assistant 1998. A Field Guide to and Amphibians: Eastern and Central . Houghton Mifflin Provided as a Public Service Company, Boston, . by

Dixon, James R. 1987. Amphibians and of Texas. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, Texas. (2nd Edition 2000).

Venomous Snakes of East Texas with Emphasis on Angelina County

Texas provides habitat for approximately 115 species of snakes with nearly 44 spe- cies found in the piney woods region of East Texas. Fifteen species of venomous snakes are found throughout the state while only 5 venomous species are found Southern Copperhead, Agkistrodon in the East Texas pine forests: two spe- contortrix contortrix. This species aver- cies of rattlesnakes; a copperhead; the ages 24 inches (record 52 inches). A cottonmouth; and the coral snake. Canebrake, Timber or Velvet-tail, Rat- common species in East Texas. Look for tlesnake, Crotalus horridus atricaudatus. dark cross bands that are wide on the All snakes play a valuable role in the en- This is the largest species of venomous side and narrow along the back. Vibrates vironment and if you can identify the snake in East Texas averaging 48 inches its tail when disturbed. five dangerous species in this brochure, (record 74 inches). This is a Texas Threat- you will be able to distinguish the harm- ened Species and is protected by State less ones from the venomous ones that Law. naturally occur in our area.

The purpose of this brochure is to be source of photographic identification of the 5 species of venomous snakes found in Angelina County and in the pine for- ests of East Texas.

There are a couple of characteristics that will positively distinguish the venomous snakes in our area from the harmless ones. Since four of the venomous spe- Western Cottonmouth or Water Moc- cies are pit vipers, they all have a deep casin, Agkistrodon piscivorous leu- costoma. This species averages 34 inches pit between and below the eye and the Pigmy or Ground Rattlesnake, (record 62 inches). Found in streams, nostril. No other snakes have this struc- miliarius streckeri. This is the smallest ponds and lakes. Will open its mouth ture. The fifth snake is the coral snake species of in East Texas and expose white lining when disturbed and on it the colors red and yellow touch. averaging 17 inches (record 25 inches). and will also vibrate its tail.