Colubridae
Texas Scarletsnake
HarmlessCemophora lineri
6 photographs of the Texas Scarletsnake. © Mike Duran.
The Texas Scarletsnake (Cemophora lineri) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Texas Scarletsnake
The Texas scarlet snake (Cemophora lineri) is a species of nonvenomous snake in the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae. The species is native to the South Central United States. It was previously considered a subspecies of Cemophora coccinea.
Etymology
The specific name or epithet, lineri, is in honor of American herpetologist Ernest A. Liner (1925–2010), who collected the first specimen in 1963.
Geographic range
C. lineri is found in southern Texas. Its range does not overlap with the other species of scarlet snake.
Description
The Texas scarlet snake is the larger of the two scarlet snake species, and is capable of growing to a total length (including tail) of 66 cm (26 inches). It has a gray or white background color, with distinct red blotches that have black borders. Unlike the other species, the black borders do not join on the sides. Its belly is a solid white or gray.
Behavior
Like all scarlet snakes (genus Cemophora), the Texas scarlet snake is a secretive burrower, spending most of its time under ground. It prefers sandy thicket habitats along the Gulf of Mexico coastline.
Diet
The preferred diet of C. lineri is the eggs of other reptiles, but it will also eat small rodents and lizards.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Texas Scarletsnake
- Is the Texas Scarletsnake venomous?
- No. The Texas Scarletsnake (Cemophora lineri) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Texas Scarletsnake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Texas Scarletsnake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Texas Scarletsnake dangerous?
- The Texas Scarletsnake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Texas Scarletsnake live?
- The Texas Scarletsnake has verified records in 1 country, including United States of America. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Texas Scarletsnake eat?
- The preferred diet of C. lineri is the eggs of other reptiles, but it will also eat small rodents and lizards.
- Why is it called the Texas Scarletsnake?
- The specific name or epithet, lineri, is in honor of American herpetologist Ernest A. Liner (1925–2010), who collected the first specimen in 1963.
Where it is found
By U.S. state
Snakes it is confused with
Texas CoralsnakeVenomousA harmless mimic of the US coral snake. On US coral snakes red bands touch yellow; on these mimics red usually touches black. This color rule is reliable ONLY in the United States — it does not hold for coral snakes elsewhere.
Texas Scarletsnake vs Texas Coralsnake→
More Colubridae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Cemophora
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Cemophora lineri
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.