HERE ARE SOME 5 VENOMOUS SNAKES FOUND IN FLORIDA 🐍🐍🐍

HERE ARE SOME 5 VENOMOUS SNAKES FOUND IN FLORIDA 🐍🐍

Dusky Pygmy rattlesnake

Basic description

Most adult dusky pygmy rattlesnakes are about 12-24 inches (30-61 cm) in total length. This is a very small snake, but it is thick for its size. The body color varies from light gray to dark gray, and a longitudinal row of black or charcoal spots disturbs a reddish brown stripe that runs in the middle of the back. The tail is slender and ends in a tiny rattle. The head is distinct from the neck and has a black diagonal line just behind the eye. The coloration of juveniles is similar to that described for adults, except that the tail tip of juveniles is bright sulfide yellow.

Range in Florida

Dusky pygmy rattlesnakes are found throughout Florida and in every county. They are not known to occur in the Florida Keys, but they have been found on some barrier islands (e.g., St. Vincent in Franklin County).

Risk assessment for individuals and pets.

VENOMOUS Pygmy rattlesnake bites are painful, but generally do not put people or pets at risk. However, bites can be more serious for children and small pets. As with all venomous snakebites, the victim should seek immediate medical care from a physician or hospital experienced in treating snakebites. Pygmy rattlesnakes are non-invasive and avoid direct contact with people and animals. The majority of bites occur when snakes are intentionally molested or accidentally trampled.

Most adult dusky pygmy rattlesnakes are about 12-24 inches (30-61 cm) in total length, with a record length recorded about 31 inches (79 cm). This is a very small snake, but it is thick for its size. The body color varies from light to dark gray, and a lengthwise row of black or charcoal blotches disrupts a reddish-brown stripe running down the middle of the back. Dark spots occur on the sides and line up with the dorsal blotches. The tail is slender and ends in a tiny rattle. The belly is heavily mottled with black and white. The dorsal scales of the body are keeled (each scale has a prominent raised ridge). The head is distinct from the neck and has a black diagonal line just behind the eye. The pupil is vertically elliptical (cat-like), and there is a deep facial pit organ located between the nostril and the eye. The top of the head between the eyes is covered with nine large plate-like scales. The coloration of juveniles is the same as described for adults, except the tail tip of juveniles is bright sulfur-yellow in color. The tip of the tail of newborns ends in a “button”, which is the first segment of the future rattles.

Defensive behavior

Pygmy rattlesnakes rely heavily on great camouflage to prevent detection. When frightened, these snakes often remain motionless and expand their ribs so their bodies appear flattened against the ground. However, if provoked they may attempt to escape or they may remain coiled and shake their tails, producing a weak buzzing sound which could easily be confused with a buzzing insect. If they are more provocative, they risk agitating and knocking. However, these snakes are not aggressive, and striking is only used in defense.

Diet and feeding behavior

The Pygmy Rattlesnake feeds on a wide range of small prey such as millipedes and other arthropods, frogs, snakes, lizards and small mammals. These snakes may actively pursue prey by following their scent trails, but more typically these snakes sit and wait to ambush prey. Juveniles have a piece of bright yellow sulfide tail that they lift and move like a caterpillar to attract prey within striking range..

2-Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in North America. Some reach 8 feet in length and weigh up to 10 pounds.

Habitat and Behavior

These stout-bodied pit vipers generally live in the dry, pine Flatwoods, sandy woodlands, and coastal scrub habitats from southern North Carolina to Florida and west to Louisiana. Its black diamond pattern with a yellow border and a light center makes it one of the most ornate North American reptiles. They are natural exterminators, surviving on such household pests as rats and mice, as well as squirrels and birds.

Feared as mortal and abrown, browndiamondbacks are actually very reluctant to human touch and only attack in defense. Most bites occur when humans taunt or try to capture or kill a rattlesnake. They can strike with accuracy up to one third of their body.

Venom

Diamondback venom is a potent hemotoxin that kills red blood cells and causes tcentersamage. Bites are extremely painful and can be fatal to humans. However, antivenin is widely available throughout the snake's range, and bites rarely result in death.

Distinctive Rattle

When cornered, rattlers feverishly shake their iconic tails as a last warning to back off. The rattles are flexible, hard and hollow segments. Snakes add a new rattle segment each time they shed. However, rattlesnakes often come loose, and snakes can lose their skin several times a year, so it is not possible to determine the age of a snake by its size.

Threats to Survival

The eastern diamondback is not endangered, but because of indiscriminate killing, widespread loss of habitat, and hunting, its numbers are decreasing throughout its range. 

3-Copper Head

Copperhead snakes are some of the more commonly seen North American snakes. They're also the most likely to bite, although their venom is relatively mild, and their bites are rarely fatal for humans.

According to the Department of Biology at Pennsylvania State University, these snakes are rightly named after their coppery-red heads.. Some other snakes are referred to as copperheads, which is a common (nonscientific) name. Water moccasins (cottonmouths), radiated rat snakes, Australian copperheads and sharp-nosed pit vipers are all sometimes called copperheads, However, they are different species than North America (Agkistrodon contortrix).

Copperheads are pit vipers, like rattlesnakes and water moccasins. Pit vipers have "heat-sensory pits between eye and nostril on each side of the head," that are capable of detecting minute differences in temperature so that snakes can precisely hit the heat source, which is often a potential prey. Copperhead "behavior is very much like that of most other pit vipers," said herpetologist Jeff Beane, collections manager of amphibians and reptiles at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

Characteristics

Copperheads are medium-size snakes, averaging between 2 and 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) in length. According to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, female copperheads are longer than males; however, males possess proportionally longer tails.

Montaneng to Beane, copperheads' bodies are dnctly patterned. Their "back pattern is a series of dark crossed bands, brown brown or reddish brown, each having the shape of an hourglass, a dumbbell or a bag... on a background of lighter brown, tan, salmon or. pinkish," Beane said. He further described the saddlebags as "wide on sides of body, narrow in center of back — the transverse bands tend to have darker margins and lighter side centres.” Meanwhile, "some spacers may be broken, and occasionally small dark spots may be in the spaces between the spacers."

Several other nonvenomous species of snakes have similar coloring, and so are frequently confused for copperheads. However, copperheads are the only kind of snakes with hourglass-shaped markings.

In contrast to its patterned body, the snake's coppery-brown head lacks such adornments, "except for a pair of tiny dark dots usually present on top of the head," said Beane. He described the ventures of Copperheads as "whitish, yellowish or light brown, dotted or marbled., with brown, gray or blackish, often large, paired dark spots rattles along sides of [its] belly."

Copperheads have muscular, thick bodies and keeled (ridged) scales. Their heads are "somewhat triangular/arrow-shaped and distinct from the neck," with a "a rather distinct ridge separating [the] top of the head from the lateral snout between the eye and the nostril,” said Beane.. Their pupils are vertical, like cats' eyes, and their irises are usually orange, tan or reddish-brown.

Habitat

Copperheads reside "from southern New England to West Texas and northern Mexico," said Beane, advising interested parties to consult the range charts in a number of field guides.

There are five subspecies of copperhead distributed according to geographic range: the northern, northwestern, southern and two southwestern subspecies. According to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, The northern copper apple has by far the broadest range, from Alabama to Massachusetts and Illinois.

According to the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, copperheads are "quite tolerant of habitat alteration." As a result, they can survive in the suburbs. Copper apples are sometimes found in piles of wood and sawdust, abandoned farm buildings, dump sites and former construction areas. They "often seek shelter under surface cover such as boards, sheet metal, rattlesr large flat rocks," said Beane.

Copperheads are semi-social snakes. While they usually hunt alone, thFlatwoodsy hibernate in communal dens and often return to the same den every year. Beane said that populations in the "montane" (a forest area under the timberline with tall coniferous trees) often overwinter in hibernation "with wooden rattlesnakes, rat snakes or other species.." However, "Piedmont and Coastal Plain snakes are more likely to hibernate individually," Beane said.They can also be seen next to each other while lounging in the sun, drinking, eating and wooing, according to the Smithsonian Zoo.

4-Timber rattlesnake

Basic description

Most adult timber rattlesnakes are about 36-60 inches (76-152 cm) in total length. This is a large, heavy-bodied snake with a series of large, black, chevron-like crossbands down the pinkish gray or tan body. There is a reddish-brown stripe running down theage, sor of the back. The tail is usually eThee dark. The tail ends in a rattle, which is often held above the ground. The large and thick head is distinct from the neck and sometimes has a dark diagonal line through the eye or just behind the eye. The coloration of juveniles is the same as described for adults, and the tip of the tail of newborns ends in a “button”, which is the first segment of the future rattle.

Range

Timber rattlesnakes have a limited range in Florida and are found in only 12 counties in northern Florida. The range may extend to other nearby areas, but there are no confirmed records from other Florida counties.

Most adult timber rattlesnakes are about 36-60 inches (76-152 cm) in total length, with a record length of 74.5 inches (189 cm). This is a large, heavy-bodied snake with a series of large, black, chevron-like crossbands down the pinkish gray or tan body. There is a reddish-brown stripe running down the center of the back. The tail is usually uniformly black. The tail ends in a rattle, which is often held above the ground. The dorsal scales of the body are keeled (each scale has a prominent raised ridge). The large and thick head is distinct from the neck and sometimes has a dark diagonal line through the eye or just behind the eye. The pupil is vertically elliptical (cat-like), and there is a deep facial pit organ located between the nostril and the eye. There are no large scales on the top of the head except for the scales over the eyes. The coloration of juveniles is the same as described for adults, but it may be brighter with more contrast. The tip of the tail of newborns ends in a “button”, which is the first segment of the future rattle

Habitat

Timber rattlesnakes in Florida prefer damp bottomlands, river beds, hardwood hammocks, pine flatwoods, swamps, fields, and cane thickets. This species is occasionally found in suburban neighborhoods where development encroaches into favorable habitats

Defensive behavior

This is generally a mild tempered rattlesnake that will usually attempt to escape if disturbed. Some timber rattlesnakes lie quietly coiled when first discovered. However, if provoked they may remain coiled and shake their tails, producing a loud buzzing sound. Nonetheless, these snakes are not aggressive, and striking is only used in defense as a last resort.

5-Cotton mouth

Basic description

The average adult Florida cottonmouth is 30-48 inches (76-122 cm) in total length. This snake is heavy bodied with a pattern of light brown and dark brown crossbands containing many dark spots and speckles. The pattern darkens with age so adults may become uniformly black. The eye is camouflaged by a broad, dark, facial stripe. The color pattern of juvenile cottonmouths is much lighter than in adults, and newborns have a sulfur-yellow tail tip.

Range

Cottonmouths are found throughout Florida and in every county. They also occur on many nearshore islands including the upper Florida Keys and several islands in the Gulf of Mexico in Levy (e.g., Cedar Keys) and Franklin (e.g., Dog, St. George, and St. Vincent islands) counties.

Detailed Description

The average adult Florida cottonmouth is 30-48 inches (76-122 cm) in total length, with a record length of 74.5 inches (189 cm). This snake is heavy bodied with a pattern of light brown and dark brown crossbands containing many dark spots and speckles. The pattern darkens with age, so adults may become uniformly black with only a faint pattern. The dorsal scales of the body are keeled (each scale has a prominent raised ridge). The eye is camouflaged by a broad, dark, facial stripe. The top of the head between the eyes is covered with large plate-like scales. The pupil is vertically elliptical (cat-like). There is a deep facial pit organ located between the nostril and the eye. The eyes cannot be seen when viewed from above. The tip of the snout has two dark vertical lines. Juvenile cottonmouths have prominent reddish-brown crossbands on a brown ground color, with dark spots in the dark bands. The color pattern of juvenile cottonmouths is much lighter than in adults, and newborns have a sulfur-yellow tail tip

Habitat

Florida cottonmouths can potentially be found in or near any wetlands or waterway in the state, including springs, rivers, lakes, ponds, saltmarshes, swamps, sloughs, reservoirs, retention pools, canals, and roadside ditches. These snakes often wander far from water and have occasionally been found in bushes and trees. Several of the islands they inhabit contain hydric hammock and lack permanent sources of freshwater.

Defensive behavior

When threatened, a cottonmouth will usually attempt to retreat. If further agitated, it may respond by coiling its body and opening its mouth to exposed white interior. This behavior is what gave rise to the common name “cottonmouth”. This is not a strike, however, but rather a display intended to scare away a potential threat. If further provoked, these snakes may release foul-smelling musk from glands within the base of the tail and quickly vibrate the tip of the tail to produce a buzzing sound. However, they are not rattlesnakes. Striking is only used in defense as a last resort. Contrary to common folklore, these snakes are not aggressive and do not chase people away.

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