How to Live Peacefully with the Occasional Snake
In my ten years living on Anna Maria Island, I have come across very few snakes. The ones I have seen were not venomous. Yet I know some people in my neighborhood kill every snake they see. This is not necessary and it’s not kind. It also can have unforeseen consequences.
Every creature is a part of a complex system that human life needs to survive. By far the majority of 45 species and 44 subspecies of snake found in Florida are not venomous. And many of them serve useful roles, such as the ones that eat mice and rats. Rather than kill every snake, it makes much more sense to use the numerous guides available in books and on line to identify a snake first. If it’s not dangerous, then the best way to treat it is the same way we treat the lizards, frogs and birds in our yard. Try to appreciate them. They are part of the beautifully rich Florida environment.
There are professionals who relocate unwanted snakes. If you try to relocate a harmless snake yourself, one effective method is to find a large plastic garbage bin with corners and a lid. Lay it on the ground near the snake (don’t get too close yourself) and sweep the snake into the bin. Turn it upright and put the lid on. Remember that large snakes can strike from a distance, and even non-venomous snakes may bite, so be sure to use a broom with a long handle. Carry the bin to a large wild area and release the snake carefully, without handling it.
There are only 6 venomous snakes in Florida. It’s worth knowing them in order not to panic when other snakes appear.
The Southern Copperhead averages between 22 and 36 inches long when mature. It has a pattern of crossbands on its back, with wide light brown areas alternating with dark brown bands that can have an hourglass shape. This snake doesn’t even live outside of the Florida panhandle, so it is of no concern on Anna Maria Island.
Water Moccasins, also called Cottonmouths and several combinations of those words, have crossbands similar to the copperhead when they are young, but then the bands virtually disappear as the snake becomes very dark in maturity. The eyes of the mature Water Moccasin are not visible from above, and this is a very helpful way to tell the difference between this venomous snake and the harmless water snakes of Florida. It can be frightening when a harmless water snake, basking in the sun on a branch over water tries to jump to the water to flee when a boat approaches, especially if the snake’s timing is off and it lands in the boat. In most cases, the snake is only a harmless water snake. Another way to tell the difference between a moccasin and a harmless water snake is that moccasins have a facial pit between the nostril and the eye, but water snakes do not. Water moccasins are not aggressive but their bite is very dangerous and expert medical attention is advised.
There are three kinds of rattlesnake in Florida : the Eastern Diamondback , the Timber Rattlesnake and the Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake. All three of these are dangerous, but they also serve the important function of keeping rodent populations down. The ideal situation is to avoid killing these snakes and give them plenty of room. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between the Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake and the Hognose snake, which is harmless. The Hognose flattens its head when threatened, and also may play dead by flipping onto its back. Hognose snakes have no facial pits and no rattles.
The Eastern Coral Snake grows to 20 to 30 inches and is ringed with large red and black rings separated by narrower yellow ones. The harmless Scarlet Kingsnake and the Scarlet Snake are often confused with Coral Snakes. A very easy way to tell the difference is to remember that both of the harmless snakes have red on their noses and tails. “If its nose is black, it’s bad for Jack.” The bite of a Coral Snake is dangerous, but statistics show it’s not as dangerous as that of the Diamondback Rattlesnake.
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