Venomous Snakes of Florida

Florida is home to many types of snakes. Some are indigenous to the area while others are from other parts of the globe. There are venomous snakes too. Venom is usually injected when a snake bites you. This means that there isn’t a poisonous snake but only venomous ones.



In central Florida the number of venomous snakes is around four. There is the eastern coral snake, the Florida cottonmouth which is sometimes referred to as the water moccasin, the pygmy rattlesnake and the diamond back rattlesnake. It is important to learn how to identify these snakes so that you won’t have to worry about the other species which are not venomous located in the same area. Other snakes include the copperhead and timber rattlesnake.

The Eastern Coral Snake: if you spot this snake, you need to stop. This is a snake that can bite you and inject you with the neurotoxic venom that it bears. This venom leads to the diaphragm being paralyzed as it affects the nervous system.

Cottonmouth: it is also a snake which is commonly referred to as the water moccasins. This snake is venomous and it thrives in wet areas. The body coloration of the snake ranges from a dull black to patterned ranges. You can be able to identify the snake because of the eye line which is black. It runs from one side of the eye and back down the side of the head. Regardless of their age, the cotton mouths will always have the eye line.

Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake: this is a rattlesnake that is rather small and it averages around 15-22 inches in length. Their rattle is also rather small and may sound like the buzz of an insect. Their color is normally gray with some colored blotches that run all the way down their backs. The bite that they deliver is painful even though it is not fatal. Most of the snakes that occur in Florida are by this snake than other venomous species.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake: in the United States, this stands as the largest venomous snake. Its size on average is around 5-6 feet long. Even in its coiled position, the snake can be able to strike half the body length. Never try to go near this snake even if you only mean to move it.

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