Venomous Snakes in Florida
Like most states, Florida is endowed with a variety of fauna ranging from reptiles to birds.About 50 species of snakes are present in Florida; 44 of which are regarded harmless to man though offer a significant contribution to the ecosystem by feeding on rodents, birds and insects. Some 6 species however, unlike their counterparts are poisonous and harmful and have a contribution to colouring human feelings with reference to crawling creatures.
1. Species
- The venomous types are broadly categorized as either The Villages Pit vipers or Elapidae.
- The pit vipers include Florida cottonmouth snake, Eastern Diamond black Rattlesnake, Timber rattlesnake, Southern copperhead and The Dusty pigmy rattlesnake while Elapidae has the Eastern Coral snake.
- The pit vipers give live births and have distinct facial pits between the eye and nostril on each side of the head.
- Their venom is hemotoxic while Neurotoxic in the case of Elapidae.
2. Pit vipers
- The diamondblack rattlesnake is found all over Florida mostly in pinewoods and grassy areas and is considered the dangerous often due to its large body size,breathtaking striking speeds,aggressive defensive tactics and large quantity of venom.
- The pigmy rattlesnake is small and slender ofen making a sound synonimous to the buzzing of insects.Its mostly grey with round dusky spots but alternating reddish and black spots along midline of its back.
- The Timber rattlesnake is mostly found in northern Florida in Flatwoods and river bottoms .It’s greyish brown with dark bands across its body. Orange stripes run along the midline of the back
- The Villages cottonmouth lacks rattles. Its grows long up to 5 feet but most Florida species are up to 3feet.Its color ranges from olive brown to black and has a distinct dark band from the eye to the rear jaw.
- The southern copperhead is pinkish tan in colour with red brown crossbands.Its averagely 30 inches long and is rare
3. Eastern coral snake
- The Villages coral snake holds the most potent venom and unlike pit vipers it bites and chews to inject it.Its small and slender bright with red ,black and yellow bands.Its often “shy and secretive” unless disturbed.
4 Caution
- Most The Villages snake bites are in the arms because of handling of a snake unaware that it is poisonous.
- Considerable effort should be made to know the extent of harm from the snake you handle. In case of a bite, treatment with Antivenin should be sought.
Visit our The Villages animal removal home page to learn more about us.
1. Species
- The venomous types are broadly categorized as either The Villages Pit vipers or Elapidae.
- The pit vipers include Florida cottonmouth snake, Eastern Diamond black Rattlesnake, Timber rattlesnake, Southern copperhead and The Dusty pigmy rattlesnake while Elapidae has the Eastern Coral snake.
- The pit vipers give live births and have distinct facial pits between the eye and nostril on each side of the head.
- Their venom is hemotoxic while Neurotoxic in the case of Elapidae.
2. Pit vipers
- The diamondblack rattlesnake is found all over Florida mostly in pinewoods and grassy areas and is considered the dangerous often due to its large body size,breathtaking striking speeds,aggressive defensive tactics and large quantity of venom.
- The pigmy rattlesnake is small and slender ofen making a sound synonimous to the buzzing of insects.Its mostly grey with round dusky spots but alternating reddish and black spots along midline of its back.
- The Timber rattlesnake is mostly found in northern Florida in Flatwoods and river bottoms .It’s greyish brown with dark bands across its body. Orange stripes run along the midline of the back
- The Villages cottonmouth lacks rattles. Its grows long up to 5 feet but most Florida species are up to 3feet.Its color ranges from olive brown to black and has a distinct dark band from the eye to the rear jaw.
- The southern copperhead is pinkish tan in colour with red brown crossbands.Its averagely 30 inches long and is rare
3. Eastern coral snake
- The Villages coral snake holds the most potent venom and unlike pit vipers it bites and chews to inject it.Its small and slender bright with red ,black and yellow bands.Its often “shy and secretive” unless disturbed.
4 Caution
- Most The Villages snake bites are in the arms because of handling of a snake unaware that it is poisonous.
- Considerable effort should be made to know the extent of harm from the snake you handle. In case of a bite, treatment with Antivenin should be sought.
Visit our The Villages animal removal home page to learn more about us.