6 Venomous Snakes in Florida

There Are 6 Venomous Snakes in Florida

Venomous snakes are found in every state in the US, including Florida. In fact, Florida is home to six of the most venomous snakes in North America. The poison from a venomous snake’s bite can cause severe illness or even death. Let’s look at some of the venomous snakes found in Florida. If you are bitten by a venomous snake, it is essential to immediately seek medical help. If you have seen snakes around your home, chances are its not venomous. You can give our office a call and we can provide insight and ways we can move them from your property.

• Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake found in North America. It can grow to be more than 8 feet long and is found throughout Florida. This light-brown snake is identified by its dark brown diamond pattern down its back.

• Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake

The dusky pygmy rattlesnake is a small venomous snake found in Florida. It grows to be about 2 feet long and is dark brown or black in color. Its most prominent feature is a red line down its back.

• Canebrake or Timber Rattlesnake

The Canebrake or Timber Rattlesnake grows up to 5 feet long and has a tan body. It is identified by its reddish-yellow stripe down the length of its back and a dark chevron pattern.

• Cottonmouth Water Moccasin

The Cottonmouth Water Moccasin is also found in Florida and grows to be about 3 feet long. It has stripes of light and dark brown interrupted by spots. As this snake ages, the stripes darken and can appear completely black.

• Coral snake

The Coral snake is about 3 feet long and is brightly colored with red, yellow, and black bands. It is a thinner snake than others we have talked about, and its head is less distinctive from the rest of its body.

• Copperhead

The Copperhead grows to about 2 feet long. It has an hourglass pattern that alternates between a light and darker brown color. Newborn Copperheads have bright yellow tails making them more noticeable than the adults.

Even with poisonous snakes, we are not entitled to kill them. If you see Venomous snakes in Florida, it is important to leave it alone and call a professional. Although venomous snakes can be scary, they are protected by state and federal law, and it is illegal to kill them. Venomous snakes should only be killed if they pose an immediate threat to human life. If you see Venomous snakes in Florida, it is best to contact a professional who can remove the snake without injury to you or the snake.

How Snakes Benefit The Environment

Snakes are also beneficial to the environment providing population control of pests, preventing the spread of disease, and playing an essential role in the cycle of nature.

• Snakes as Population Controllers

Venomous snakes help keep the populations of rodents and other small mammals in check, which can help prevent the spread of disease. They have limited the overpopulation of these animals, which helps reduce the spread of diseases that these animals may carry.

• Snakes Aren’t Always on Top of the Food Chain

In many cases, venomous snakes are actually prey for other animals. This is especially true in the case of snakes that are small in size. Birds, mammals, and even other snakes will prey on them. This part of the food chain keeps all animal populations in control.

 

What If You Are Bitten By Venomous Snakes in Florida?

If you get bitten by a snake, especially one you suspect is venomous, it’s important to act quickly.

• Immediately contact an ambulance

Bites by venomous snakes in Florida are medical emergencies and require immediate treatment. Call 911 and follow their directions. If you aren’t sure that the snake is venomous, it is still best to get help quickly. Venom can travel rapidly, and fast treatment is essential.

• Don’t panic and don’t move

Venomous snake bites can be severe, and their venom is spread through your blood. So, it is vital to remain calm until help arrives. This will help slow the spread of venom and give responders more time to treat you.

• Leave the snake alone

Once you have called for medical help, it is important to leave the snake alone. Do not try to capture or kill the snake. Try to remember what the snake looked like so that you can describe it to medical personnel.

• Apply Pressure

Bites by venomous snakes in Florida can be very serious, it is important to immobilize the affected limb. Apply a pressure immobilization bandage and splint to the limb. This will help to prevent the spread of the venom as the more you use a limb, the more blood supply will travel to and from the affected area.

• Don’t wash, suck, cut, or tourniquet the bite

Do not wash the wound. Do not attempt to suck the venom out of the wound. Do not cut the wound. And do not apply a tourniquet to the wound. These things will only make the situation worse. The best thing is to remain calm, apply pressure, and wait for help to arrive.

 

Knowing what to look for and what to do if you or someone you know is bitten by a venomous snake is a great safety measure. But don’t think of snakes as evil. They aren’t trying to attack humans and only strike when they feel threatened by us. It’s important to respect them and be aware that they can cause harm but allow them to play their role in nature.