Nuisance Wildlife Removal
866-263-9453
Nuisance Wildlife Removal
866-263-9453
FLORIDA SNAKES
One of the most commonly seen snakes in Florida, the Black Racer or "Coachwhip" snake hunts during the day for anything from rodents to bird, frogs, and even insects. They are harmless to humans, but if cornered or threatened, will coil and vibrate their tails as a bluff until they see an escape. They are a very beneficial snake. As you can see above, the juvenile black racer has completely different coloring until they mature.
The Corn or "Red Rat" snake varies in color but is usually some shade of yellowish tan to orange with a row of large, dark edged, red or rust colored blotches running down the back. Their black and white belly resembles a piano keyboard.
Garter and ribbon snakes are closely related, and both live mostly on small fish, frogs and lizards. Large Garters will occasionally eat rodents. Both are swift and harless to humans, and both will emit a foul smelling odor as a defense mechanism if handled.
Nuisance Wildlife Removal
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Eastern King Snake
Florida King Snake
King Snakes are large constrictors and can grow as large as 80 inches in length. They live mostly on small rodents, birds and reptiles, but are "KING" because they also eat other snakes, including pit vipers like rattle snakes because they are immuned to their venom. In the southern part of Florida, you will most likely see King Snakes as a yellow and black salt and pepper pattern. Northern Florida has the Eastern variety of King snake, which is black with yellowish stripes.
The southern hognose snake has many defenses. When first encountered, he will posture and coil, flare a hood like a cobra, fein striking, and emit a foul odor. If that doesn't work, he will writhe, flip over and play dead. They are harmless to humans.
Nuisance Wildlife Removal
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A distinctive little snake whose coloration is shiny black or dark gray on top wilh a startling bright orange or yellow belly with a row of half moons down the center. The neck area has a bright orange or yellow neck ring, hence the name. The ringneck is not aggressive and almost never attempts to bite: even if it did, it has such a small mouth and teeth that it probably could not cause a wound. However, when frightened, ringnecks thrash about and expel a foul smelling musk.
Most of the snakes seen along Florida rivers, lakes and waterways are harmless water snakes; only the cottonmouth is venomous. When threatened, watersnakes will try to escape but will bite if they are cornered. The bite is painful but harmless. Water snakes have long teeth for catching slippery fish, but not fangs.
Here are some ways to distinguish between the water snake and the water "moccasin" as the cottonmouth is also known:
The water snake has a more rounded head and a round pupil, as opposed to the cottonmouth's flat arrow shaped head, long pupil, and a prominent brow that makes him look "Mean".
A water snake will swim almost submerged, and a cottonmouth seems to glide along the top of the water with head raised.
If surprised or confronted, a cottonmouth will stand it's ground and coil up with white mouth opened. A water snake will quickly escape into the water and disappear.
The Florida Pine Snake prefers sandy areas covered by stands of long leaf pine or oak. May also be found in open fields, anywhere frequented by the pocket gopher – its preferred prey. Spends much time in underground burrows (may be the burrow of another animal or may dig the burrow itself). Their numbers are declining due to loss of habitat, so are a protected species.
Living almost exclusively in trees, these snakes feed on spiders, insects and other invertibrates. When spotted, they will freeze all motion, depending entirely on their green camouflaged color.
For more information on Florida Snakes, go to www.Floridawildlifetrapper.com and download the latest official Florida book of snakes, published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Nuisance Wildlife Removal
866-263-9453
For Venomous Florida Snakes
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