Snakes in Our Parks and Waterways By Adam Grayson, Allstate Resource Management.

IntroductionIntroduction

How often do you encounter snakes while either on the job, out at the park or even at your home? Chances are that you see them on a regular basis. Reptiles are an integral part of Florida’s eco-system that are more beneficial to our environment than we might know. Whether venomous or non-venomous, snakes are not malicious beings and would much rather be left alone then cross paths with us.

Can you identify me?Can you identify me?

• Snakes are common in southern Snakes are common in southern Florida. Of the 45 different kinds of Florida. Of the 45 different kinds of snakes in Florida, only 6 are venomous! snakes in Florida, only 6 are venomous! It is important for people in the field to It is important for people in the field to distinguish the difference between distinguish the difference between venomous and non-venomous snakes. venomous and non-venomous snakes.

The common water snake The common water snake - - (Nerodia ssp.)(Nerodia ssp.)

• Has a blunt, rounded head and circular Has a blunt, rounded head and circular pupil.pupil.

• Lack of distinguishable face markingsLack of distinguishable face markings

• Found all over Florida waterways this Found all over Florida waterways this snake is VERY common and often snake is VERY common and often mistaken for the now rare water moccasin.mistaken for the now rare water moccasin.

Venomous!!

The water moccasin or The water moccasin or cottonmouthcottonmouth(Agkistrodon piscivorus)(Agkistrodon piscivorus)

• Head shape in a distinguishable Head shape in a distinguishable triangle shapetriangle shape

• Vertical pupil, head tilted up at 45* Vertical pupil, head tilted up at 45* angle, even when swimming!angle, even when swimming!

• White markings on face, pattern faded White markings on face, pattern faded on back, has large facial heat-piton back, has large facial heat-pit

So, how do you tell the So, how do you tell the difference?*difference?*

•Water snakeWater snake - -

• eyes can be seen from eyes can be seen from top of the head top of the head

•pupil is round, no facial pupil is round, no facial pit between eye and pit between eye and nostrilnostril

•top of head is relatively top of head is relatively

roundround

•CottonmouthCottonmouth - -

•eyes can’t be seen from top eyes can’t be seen from top of headof head

•pupil is vertical, has the pupil is vertical, has the heat-sensing pits (as do all heat-sensing pits (as do all new world “pit”-vipers)new world “pit”-vipers)

•top of head is relatively flattop of head is relatively flat• *Pictures and text from the Florida Museum of Natural History’s website - *Pictures and text from the Florida Museum of Natural History’s website - www.flmnh.ufl.eduwww.flmnh.ufl.edu

The kingsnake The kingsnake (Lampropeltis ssp.)(Lampropeltis ssp.)

• Large (3-4’), non-venomous snake with a blunt head and Large (3-4’), non-venomous snake with a blunt head and round pupil that constricts it’s prey - other snakes!round pupil that constricts it’s prey - other snakes!

• There are several species of kingsnakes in Florida, and they There are several species of kingsnakes in Florida, and they can be found almost anywhere.can be found almost anywhere.

• Kingsnakes are generally pretty tolerant of human Kingsnakes are generally pretty tolerant of human interaction, and are beneficial where they are found.interaction, and are beneficial where they are found.

• The scarlet kingsnake (pictured on the right) mimics the The scarlet kingsnake (pictured on the right) mimics the venomous coral snake and shares the same habitat as well. venomous coral snake and shares the same habitat as well.

Pigmy Pigmy RattlesnakeRattlesnake(Sistrurus miliarius)(Sistrurus miliarius)

• One of the most common venomous snakes in Florida, One of the most common venomous snakes in Florida, it can be found almost anywhere!it can be found almost anywhere!

• Is distinguished from other snakes by the gray Is distinguished from other snakes by the gray coloring with black blotches and red vertebral stripe.coloring with black blotches and red vertebral stripe.

• Pigmies are some of the smallest rattlesnakes, Pigmies are some of the smallest rattlesnakes, reaching up to 24”.reaching up to 24”.

• Their lack of size is compensated by their potent Their lack of size is compensated by their potent venom and aggressive behavior. venom and aggressive behavior.

Venomous!!

Eastern Diamondback Eastern Diamondback RattlesnakeRattlesnake(Crotalus adamanteus)(Crotalus adamanteus)

• Largest rattlesnake in the world – having reached Largest rattlesnake in the world – having reached lengths exceeding 7 feet !lengths exceeding 7 feet !

• It’s future is in danger due to habitat destruction and It’s future is in danger due to habitat destruction and human interaction.human interaction.

• Found mostly in rural areas, this snake will rattle it’s Found mostly in rural areas, this snake will rattle it’s tail and stand it’s ground if provoked, and will strike tail and stand it’s ground if provoked, and will strike only as a last resort.only as a last resort.

Venomous!!

Rat Snakes and Corn Rat Snakes and Corn Snakes Snakes (Elaphe ssp.)(Elaphe ssp.)

• Long, slender Long, slender colubridcolubrid snakes that ranges snakes that ranges throughout Florida and can be found in throughout Florida and can be found in many different color forms.many different color forms.

• These snake’s main diet consists of rodents, These snake’s main diet consists of rodents, which makes them good to have around!which makes them good to have around!

• They are non-venomous, but can be They are non-venomous, but can be aggressive and will bite if molested. aggressive and will bite if molested.

Eastern Coral SnakeEastern Coral Snake(Micrurus fulvius)(Micrurus fulvius)

•Belongs to the elapid family, which Belongs to the elapid family, which also includes cobras and kraits.also includes cobras and kraits.

•A shy, non-aggressive snake that lives A shy, non-aggressive snake that lives mostly underground and hidden.mostly underground and hidden.

•““Red touch yellow – Kill a fellow, Red Red touch yellow – Kill a fellow, Red touch black – OK Jack!”.touch black – OK Jack!”.

Venomous!!

In Summary……In Summary……

I hope that this presentation helps you I hope that this presentation helps you have a better understanding of our have a better understanding of our reptilian neighbors. Proper reptilian neighbors. Proper identification is important, but more so identification is important, but more so is the fact that snakes are a necessary is the fact that snakes are a necessary part of our natural environment. part of our natural environment.