The Texas Lyre Snake is a mildly venomous rear-fanged species. It is not listed as a venomous species because its weak venom and venom delivery system are of no threat to humans. The venom is used to immobilize lizards that are the primary prey of this species. In bites to humans about the only effects that are normally noticed is a red rash and some brief numbness in the immediate area of the bite. In controlled studies, the venom of this snake was found to not even be lethal to small mammals such as mice and rats.
Adults of this species are normally between 18 and 30 inches in length with the record size being 41 inches. In Texas, the species occurs only in the Trans-Pecos region of the state from Big Bend National Park to El Paso. It also occurs in the adjucant region of Mexico and in southcentral New Mexico. It is a nocturnal resident of the arid desert environment and is generally associated with outcroppings of loose rock and rock piles.
The Texas Lyre Snake is one of the twelve snakes in Texas that are listed as being a "threatened species" by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and it is therefore protected by state law. It is illegal to take, collect, or possess this species without a special scientific collecting permit issued by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
Return to Other Non-Venomous Texas Snakes Index Page.
Return to The Venomous Snakes of Texas Home Page.
