
Full Answer
What are the most poisonous snakes in Florida?
- Queen Snake ( Regina septemvittata) is only found in the western panhandle (west of the Apalachicola River). ...
- Northern Watersnake ( Nerodia sipedon) also is only found in the western panhandle. ...
- Plain-bellied Snake ( Nerodia erythrogaster) This snake also can be found in just about any water system.
What is the most common snake in Florida?
The most common non-venomous snakes that you may encounter in Florida include:
- Banded Water Snake
- Black Pine Snake
- Black Racer
- Black Rat Snake
- Blue Stripe Garter Snake
- Burmese Python
- Common Kingsnake
- Eastern Coachwhip
- Eastern Corn Snake
- Florida Rough Green Snake
What snakes are common in Florida?
The pygmy rattlesnake, which is also known as the ground rattler, is found in every county in Florida. Cottonmouth snakes are found in every Florida county. This species loves water and can be found along stream banks, in swamps, on the margins of lakes and in tree-bordered marshes.
What venomous snakes are in Florida?
Venomous Snakes of Florida
- Florida Cottonmouth: These Hernando County snakes are also known by the name water moccasin. ...
- Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake: It is the biggest venomous snake in Florida that can grow up to 6 feet. ...
- Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake: This snake in Florida is also known as Ground Rattler. ...

How can I tell what kind of snake I found?
Key field marks for identifying snakesHead Shape: Is the head shaped like a broad arrowhead, like a spade, or like an oval? ... Eyes: Are the eyes large or small? ... Scales: What texture are the scales, rough or smooth? ... Patterns: What kinds of patterns does the snake have?Color: Which color(s) is the snake?More items...
What is the most common snake found in Florida?
Easily one of the most common and nonvenomous snakes in Florida is the corn snake which is found right across Florida and in the Florida Keys. These large snakes are 30 to 48 inches long and are incredibly popular as pets. Corn snakes are typically brown or orange with large red blotches on their bodies.
What does a Florida grass snake look like?
Adults have a background color of black, greenish brown, tan, or gray with one stripe running down the middle of the back and one stripe running along each side. The stripes are typically yellow, green, brown, blue, or white. However, some individuals may lack stripes.
What do poisonous snakes look like in Florida?
The general body color of these snakes is light brown to gray, and there are large bands of darker brown along their backs. Because of constrictions in the darker bands along the center of the back of this species, the darker bands have an hourglass shape.
What keeps snakes away in Florida?
Fencing of aluminum flashing, hardware cloth (1/4"), or silt fencing 2–3 feet high buried 6 inches in the ground should deter most snakes from gaining access to certain areas of your yard (Figure 7).
Do snakes get into houses in Florida?
While there are many species of native snakes in the state of Florida, many are non-venous and not threatening to humans. The good news is that snakes are rarely abundant in any one location, which means a snake infestation at your home is highly unlikely.
What will keep snakes away?
Natural repellents including sulfur, clove and cinnamon oil, and vinegar may help repel snakes. Pour these substances around the perimeter of your property, any place you have noticed snake activity.
What kind of snake is black in Florida?
southern black racerThe southern black racer (Coluber constrictor), also known as the eastern racer, is the "black snake" most commonly found in urban and natural areas throughout all of Florida (Figure 1).
What is the difference between a garden snake and a garter snake?
There is no difference between a garter snake and a garden snake. Both names refer to the same species, the Thamnophis sirtalis, which is the most common non-venomous reptile in North America. While they vary in color, garter snakes are easily recognizable for 3 lines that run through their bodies.
What snake kills the most people in Florida?
The Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake is the largest poisonous snake in Florida and also the most deadly in the United States. It is much more common and can be found in every county in Florida.
What is the most common venomous snake in Florida?
Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake The dusky pygmy rattlesnake, also sometimes called the pygmy rattler or ground rattler, is the most common venomous snake in Florida.
Is a black snake in Florida poisonous?
Are any of the black snakes in Florida poisonous? The only black snake that is poisonous in Florida is the cottonmouth (also called the water moccasin).
What is the most common poisonous snake in Florida?
Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake The dusky pygmy rattlesnake, also sometimes called the pygmy rattler or ground rattler, is the most common venomous snake in Florida. It is another member of the pit viper subspecies.
Where are snakes mostly found in Florida?
Snakes, which include 44 species of natives, “play an interesting and vital role in Florida's complex ecology,” according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They are found in coastal mangroves, freshwater wetlands and dry uplands and in residential areas.
Does Florida have a snake problem?
The Florida Everglades have been dealing with the growing threat of invasive species like Burmese pythons for some time now. The pythons are taking over the land and ultimately killing so many of the native species. This growing problem is of major concern for the preservation efforts of the historic wetlands.
Does Florida have Anacondas?
Regulatory Status. Green anacondas are not native to Florida and are considered an invasive species due to their impacts to native wildlife.
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1. Florida Cottonmouth
The Florida Cottonmouth (or Water Moccasin) gets its name from the bright white inside of its mouth that becomes visible when it feels threatened and displays by widely opening its jaws. They have brown to black bands all along the body and they darken as they age, looking close to completely black as adults.
2. Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake
A smaller rattlesnake, the dusky pygmy rattlesnake only grows to between 12-24 inches (30-61 cm). They have beautiful coloring, typically having a gray body with a line of charcoal blotches atop a reddish line going down their back.
3. Eastern Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
The Eastern Diamondback rattlesnakes found in Florida are exactly like the ones you can find in Texas and other southern states. They have big, thick bodies with a diamond-shaped pattern running down their sides and back. Their telltale rattle will alert you if you wander too close to one.
4. Harlequin Coral snake
Also known by the simpler name “Coral Snake,” the harlequin coral snake is a venomous snake in Florida that can be easily confused with the non-venomous king snake. Coral snakes have thin bodies with an alternating pattern of red and black bands, separated by thin yellow rings.
5. Eastern Copperhead
Eastern copperheads can be tough to see when they’re hiding in leaf litter thanks to their brownish crossbands and tan coloring. On average, these snakes grow to lengths of 22-36 inches long (56-91 cm).
6. Timber Rattlesnake
Timber rattlers have a similar body shape to a diamondback rattler but have large chevron bands on their pinkish to light gray bodies. Their tail is almost completely black, and they have a large rattle that acts as a warning system.
How many snakes are there in Florida?
Florida's Snakes. Florida is home to 46 species of native snakes, only 6 of which are venomous. Venomous snakebites are rare and can often be avoided; however, responding correctly to venomous snakebites is important.
Why are snakes important?
Snakes play important roles in our natural ecosystems and should be respected rather than feared. Snakes are important predators that help control rodent populations that can spread disease to humans. They are also important prey for birds, mammals, alligators, and even other snakes.
Do snakes eat snakes in Florida?
Some non-venomous snakes, such as the Eastern Indi go Snake and Common Kingsnake, even eat venomous snakes! Florida has also been invaded by four species of non-native snakes, three of which have established breeding populations. These snakes are native to tropical and sub-tropical habitats and are able to survive in Florida's hospitable climate.
