Eastern coachwhips are one of the longest and fastest snakes in Florida

Know Your Slithery Florida Friends

Snakes have a special place in Florida's ecosystem especially for controlling the rodent population. So if you have rats or mice there’s probably not a snake when you need one.
Eastern coachwhips are one of the longest and fastest snakes in Florida

Snakes have a special place in Florida’s ecosystem, especially for controlling the rodent population. So if you have rats or mice, there’s probably not a snake when you need one.

According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, even some rattlesnake species have been reported to consume ticks in their native ranges.

Only six of Florida’s 44 snake species are venomous: the eastern coral snake, the southern copperhead, the cottonmouth, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, the timber rattlesnake, and the dusky pygmy rattlesnake.

Rattlesnakes reportedly like to hang out in palmetto bushes and tortoise dens in rural areas.

According to the FWC, there’s rarely a reason to freak out when encountering a snake. The reptile will most likely stop moving or turn its tail and slither away.

Of the 44 species of native snakes, just a few species are commonly seen in developed areas, although the current housing boom is disturbing construction area habitats.

Most snakes you encounter are most likely to be non-venomous, according to the FWC.

By recognizing common non-venomous snakes and understanding some of their habits, you can take a more relaxed attitude toward them and appreciate them as an integral part of Florida’s wildlife.

Find more about Florida’s venomous and non-venomous snakes below.


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