The Venomous Snakes Of Florida

Florida's subtropical climate and varied landscapes provide the perfect habitat for diverse snake species, some of which can pack a venomous punch. With swamplands, forests, and mangroves crisscrossing the peninsula, these stealthy reptiles have thrived undisturbed for millennia in the United States. While most will avoid contact, it pays to be aware of Florida's venomous varieties when exploring its wild areas. From the fast-striking coral snake to the feared cottonmouth lurking in swamp waters, this guide profiles some of the most notable toxic snakes calling Florida home.

Whether walking along nature trails or chilling out in your own backyard, learning to identify these serpents and the potential dangers they pose goes a long way toward preventing unnecessary confrontations. Learn invaluable facts about the venomous snakes of Florida before venturing into the Sunshine State's wild spots, where even a silent slither could end with a nasty bite.

Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake

The Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri), sometimes called the "Ground Rattler," grows to 12 to 24 inches as an adult. Its color ranges from light to dark gray or brown and can be distinguished by the rows of black running across its body, mixed with reddish-brown stripes. This heavy-bodied rattlesnake has a thick, triangular head, usually larger than the neck, and a black diagonal streak running behind either eye. Its slim tail culminates in a tiny rattle that warns approaching enemies. Despite this, the rattle is diminished and sounds more like an insect buzz.

Dusky pygmy rattlesnakes thrive in the southern Coastal Plain and prefer marshes, creeks, ponds, swamps, sandhills, and upland forest habitats. They occur throughout much of Florida, with limited sightings in the Florida Keys. While some snakes demonstrate aggression and strike with fury, others are relatively lethargic and don't even rattle. Nevertheless, the snake packs a haemotoxin, and bites result in a painful wound. Fortunately, they are not considered life-threatening.

Eastern Coral Snake

The Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius), commonly known as the American cobra, belongs to the family Elapidae and is among the ones that can possibly be found in Miami. It grows to a maximum length of 31 inches, with males growing lengthier tails but females overall longer. The eastern coral is a colorful snake and pleasant to look at. It has distinguishing yellow, black, and red around their bodies, with the yellow rings notably smaller than the red and black ones. On the lower end of the body, the ring colors are restricted to black and yellow.

Eastern coral snakes prefer habitats like wiregrass flatwoods, slash pine, and live oak hammocks. They occur in most parts of the Florida peninsula in areas that are not densely vegetated. These snakes are shy and docile; you don't easily encounter them. During human encounters, they bury their heads under the body and coil their tails in fear. Nevertheless, they carry a potent neurotoxin and will bite when you invade their space. You may not feel any symptoms immediately after a bite, but these manifest later on through drowsiness, headache, euphoria, and vomiting.

Eastern Cottonmouth

The Eastern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus), also known as a Water Moccasin, is a venomous species in the pit viper subfamily. It measures about 36 inches as an adult, but some snakes may grow to be 60 inches. Typical of vipers, it is a stout-bodied snake with a heat-sensing pit they use to locate prey. A conspicuous dark stripe runs from the eyes to the sides of the body. Cottonmouths have a black or dark olive coloration and dark brown bands on the sides and back. Meanwhile, their triangular head is often larger than the neck when seen from above, and distinct elliptical pupils.

This species occurs in areas around freshwater, including ponds, lakes, rivers, and swamps. It is pretty aggressive, and when threatened, it coils up and opens its mouth wide, exposing the inner white of its mouth as a warning. Unlike other snakes, the cottonmouth can control whether the fangs erect or retract when it opens its mouth. Additionally, it carries a potent cytotoxin that destroys skin tissue and leaves severe scars after a bite, and in a worst-case scenario, may require amputation.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) is the largest venomous snake in North America, growing to be 72 inches as an adult. It has a thick and heavy body and gets its name from the dark diamond-shaped patterns that run along the spine. Often, the diamonds are brown around the center, with a cream outline that fades as you move toward the tail. At the end of the tail is a typical rattle the snake shakes to wade off intruders. The snake's head is usually thick and triangular, while a heat-sensing pit just under the eyes assists the snake in finding its way and hunting.

Eastern diamond rattlesnakes are a native species inhabiting the Florida pinelands. They prefer habitats around coastal forests, scrublands, barrier islands, and pine flatwoods. Although they don't like water, they are great swimmers and will occasionally exist along swamp edges. Meanwhile, their active haemotoxin attacks the red blood cells, preventing clotting. Their bites can be fatal without immediate medical attention, but such incidences are generally rare.

Timber Rattlesnake

The Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is a common species across the eastern states and among the venomous snakes of Florida. Adults often grow to 60 inches and feature blackish to grayish coloration. Their heavy, thick bodies have dark blotches from the head to the back and sides. Meanwhile, cat-like eyes and a heat-sensing pit put the timber rattlesnake in the pit viper subfamily. These snakes are stealthy hunters and will usually stay put and wait for the prey to get close before ambushing them.

Timber rattlesnakes exist in an array of habitats, from hilly forests and swamps to river floodplains and lowland thickets. They are not aggressive and rarely bite unless they feel intimidated and cornered. But before that, they will rattle their tails to give you an opportunity to back down.

Florida Cottonmouth

An adult Florida Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon conanti) grows to be 48 inches, although the record for the species caught in Florida is 74.5 inches. Commonly known as the Water Moccasin, these snakes have thick brown or dark brown bodies with similar colored bands around the sides and back. The bands stand out for their serrated edges, although they can be difficult to see from a distance. A typical distinguishing feature of the snake is the dark lines that run down from the nostrils to just under the chin and the yellowish-white underside.

The Florida cottonmouth is a pit viper with a heat-sensing pit for stalking prey and its head is large and triangular. You will likely encounter the snake in freshwater environments, such as rivers, swamps, lakes, and ponds. When cornered, it usually opens its mouth as a warning, revealing a white mouth and backward-facing fangs. Bites are rare and only occur when they feel trapped and threatened. Its venom acts on the blood and can be fatal when medical attention is delayed.

Southern Copperhead

The record size of the largest Southern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix) caught in Florida was 53 inches, but the snake often grows to 48 inches. Its name comes from the copper-reddish coloration on its head, the same you see on a penny. Its body is a shade of tan with reddish-brown bands that stand out for an hourglass shape. Southern copperheads are pit vipers who hunt prey by sensing heat thanks to the pits between their eyes and nostrils. The triangular head with elliptical pupils, like a cat's eyes, completes the look of a copperhead.

These snake species prefer wooded lowlands and mixed pasture habitats within river bottoms, but they can also be encountered in wooded suburbs. A threatened southern copperhead will typically coil up and assume a defensive posture, with the head at a 45-degree angle and vibrating its tail. Interestingly, these snakes can bite straight from birth and inject their not-very-potent venom.

Final Thought

While Florida's varied landscapes have enabled numerous snake species to thrive for eons, education is the best way for humans and reptiles to coexist safely in this snake-rich state. With awareness of venomous varieties and their habitats, residents and visitors can minimize surprises on swamp walks or backyard barbeques. Ultimately, respecting snaky residents from a safe distance allows ongoing appreciation for these venomous snakes of Florida. Knowledge is the key to safe coexistence between serpents and humans through the Sunshine State's varied terrain.