A-Fl species in Florida - Copperhead, Coral Snake and Cottonmouth Snake
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Brahminy Blind Snake - a.k.a. Flower Pot Snake
The size of adult species is anywhere from 3 to 7 inches (7-20 cm). It's a very thin snake that is shiny in its coloration - a color that the juvenile blind snakes are born with and keep throughout adulthood. The snake has been introduced from Asia and is not endemic to Florida.
Because it has become common in many countries and is suspected to have been transported to Florida in the soil of imported shrubs and plants - it is sometimes called the Flower Pot Snake.
It is found throughout the Southern part of Florida - mainly in urban areas and in land used for agriculture.
It reproduces unisexually; meaning there are no male blind snakes. This is called parthenogenisis. It's a harmless snake feeding on larvae and eggs, insect or anything it can get close to.
Brown Snakes
The name should rather be the Florida Brown Snakes, as the Brown Snakes in Florida probably are sub-species of the "Brown Snakes".
Three subspecies of the Brown Snake are found in Florida. They are all found throughout Florida, including the Keys. They are brown in color, yet can sometimes take on a reddish hue. They are usually found under debris or leaves and are not dangerous at all.
Only seldom do they reach a size of more than 12 inches (30 cm). They feed on invertebrates such as earthworms and slugs, small amphibians and the like. They are very active during the day and inactive during the night.
Brown Water Snake
The normal size of a Brown Water Snakes is 25-60 inches and it can be found all over Florida. Adults are light brown with darker blotches on them.
It is commonly found near streams, small ponds or anywhere close to water. Even though it's a Water Snake it's a good climber preferring trees near water. Occasionally it will try to escape by throwing it self off the limb and into water - which is a quite exciting thing to observe.
One fish, the perch, is a favorite freshwater prey item for the Brown Water Snake. And in general, the larger the snake the more of its diet is perch.
It gives live birth to snakes that are 7-11 inches in length. Eggs hatches inside the female, so it's only a semi-live birth. It can be confused with the venomous cottonmouth. Unfortunately some Brown Water Snakes are killed just on the suspicion.
Copperhead snakes
The Copperhead Snake has many names in different areas. The best known aliases are: the Highland Moccasin, Chunkhead, and Southern Copperhead Snake
Copperhead snakes are medium sized snakes. Normal length is around 30 inches (75 cm). They have alternating bands ranging in color from gray to red-brownish. Some of the dark bands have spots in them. Copperheads in Florida, and other states that they inhabit, have quite a deep pit between the nostrils and their eyes. This is also true of the Cottonmouth & the rattlesnakes.
Where to find them in Florida
In Florida the Copperhead can only be found in North Western part of the State - in the so called panhandle. Copperhead prefer swamps or any area close to water such as places near the Apalachicola River. They are not uncommon and they quite often migrate to suburban areas in search of food and shelter.
Bites from Copperheads
If you are allergic to all sort of bites or stings or if your health is poor or if you are very young, a bite from a Copperhead snake can be life threatening. Like with any other snake one must seek immediate medical care if an encounter with a snake became a little to tense. Copperhead Snakes are dangerous so don't try handling one yourself unless you have hands on experience with snakes.
Copperhead Snakes are dangerous and venomous so don't try handling one yourself unless you have hands on experience with snakes.
Donƅt try to be "macho" if a Copperhead Snake bites you. The bite will give you pain no matter what. You may also be susceptible to an infection the place the snake bit you.
A trick with their tail
The snake uses its tail to trick potential prey into thinking that they can approach it. They can't. With lightning speed the Copperhead can deliver a deadly strike killing any little rodent or any other small animal that comes in its way.
Coral snakes
Even small concentrations of venom from this snake can kill large animals. When it bite and injects its venom, a much larger dose than necessary is used to kill the prey. The purpose is of course to subdue the prey faster and reduce the risk of damages to itself. is
Coral Snakes are one of the six different species of venomous snakes in Florida. x
Coral Snake rhymes
A red, yellow and black colored banding separates the Coral Snakes from other snakes. The Scarlet Kingsnake has the same colors as Coral Snakes, but they can be distinguished by thinking of rhymes such as »Red on yellow - kills a fellow« or »Red touching black - is a friend of Jack«. Think of traffic lights - yellow is caution and red is There are plenty of these rhymes to be found on the internet. Florida has it Coral Snakes as well. The average size of adult Coral Snakes is 25-35 inches (60-90 cm). They are smaller than Coral Snakes seen in Brazil and Bolivia, which are larger.
The patterns are easily seen. You should however avoid this snake by all means; simply because it's bad company.
Bitten by a Coral Snake - prey and humans
Coral Snakes hold on to a prey after they inflicted the victim their bite. This behavior is very natural, because in order to deliver their venom they need to have their fangs in the prey. If bitten by a coral snake one most go to medical care straight on. People get bitten by this snake from time to time when they are gardening etc.
Elderly people or young children are more susceptible to suffer heavily from a coral snake than medium aged adult individuals. This only holds true if the victim is treated with antivenin, otherwise the chance of not surviving is roughly 10 percent. Coral Snakes eat their prey after it has suffocated from the paralysis caused by the venom.
The habit of eating other snakes
Coral snakes like to feed on other snakes. There's a special name for this and it is called ophiophagous. They will however also feed on other reptiles such as lizards and small rodents. Aquatic Coral Snakes also takes fish and eels.
Corn Snake
The Corn Snakes can be found throughout Florida and in many types of habitats such as agricultural fields and residential areas. Its status as a killer of rodents in corn depots made this snake popular among farmers.
Today it is also a popular pet. The longest individuals can reach a length of 75 inches (almost 2 meters) but the normal size is from 20 to 45 inches. It's primarily active during the night. The Corn Snake is a good climber and can be found in trees, but most often it is found under logs and rocks. It feeds on lizards, frogs, rodents, and birds and their eggs. It lays from 2-40 eggs and breeds from mid April to June. Newborns hatches 6-10 weeks after the eggs has been laid.
Cottonmouth snakes
It's not unusual that the cottonmouth snake stands its ground against intruders exposing its mouth in a threatening way as if it's ready to bite. When it stands its ground it's usually because it can't escape.
Appearance
The Cottonmouth Snake is larger than its close relative - the Copperhead Snake. The Water Moccasin can reach a size of almost 75 inches (2m) but the most normal size is just about 30-40 inches. Its head is thicker than its neck and because some large plate-like scales covers the eyes, the eyes can hardly been seen when viewed from above.
Habitat
It's found throughout Florida, but if you are in the Northern part of Florida you might take it for a Copperhead Snake. It can be found anywhere near water - and as a general rule of thumb you won't find them far from water unless they are moving from one place to another.
A lot of people in Florida are afraid of the Cottonmouth snake - which is partly unjustified. Watersnakes that are found in the same type of habitats are destroyed on the suspicion of being Cottonmouths.
Eastern Indigo Snake - a.k.a. the gopher snake
The Indigo Snake live throughout Florida but is nowhere abundant. They can be found in hardwood forest, flatwoods and prairies. They are quite large; adults normally reach a length of 60-84 inches or anything from 1.5 to almost 3 meters. They are the longest North American snake, having been recorded at over 8 1/2 feet. The indigo population is declining and it is listed as a Threatened Species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Eastern Coachwhip Snake
The Eastern Coachwhip is one of the largest snakes found in Florida. It reaches a length of up to just above 100 inches in rare cases. The most normal size of an Eastern CoachWhip Snake is however only 50-75 inches. Eastern Coachwhips are slender snakes with a tan body and black head.
It is completely harmless to humans and can be found in pine woods or in scrubs along sand beaches. It does have a whip like tail, but it is not used to attack humans. It is a very fast moving snake that may show aggressive behavior. Don't misunderstand this snake - it won't attack unless there's no escape. If it attacks the harm it can inflict is not serious to adult people.
It lays up to 15 eggs in the late summer.
Eastern Hognose Snake - a.k.a. Puff Adder, Hissing Adder, Spreading Adder and Hissing Sand Snake
It is found throughout Florida except for the Keys. The average size of an adult specimen is around 25 inches (65 cm). Large specimens can reach a length of almost 50 inches.
It is a compact snake that varies in color depending on the specimen with certain snakes being yellow while others appear to be brown.
It can be found in scrubs near sandy areas and in woodlands and cultivated fields, as well as an assortment of other places. To defend itself it makes a loud hissing sound when threatened or walked upon. Don't handle it because it is harmless - they don't like it at all. It's a common belief that some of the Adders in Florida are venomous. It's simply not true.
Eggs are deposited in protected holes ore beneath debris. Eggs hatches 6-9 weeks and hatchlings are 6-9 inches in length.
References
Copperhead snake
Coral Snake - Emedicine
Coral Snakes in Florida
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