UF/IFAS GLOBAL BLOGS
Written by Mark Sandfoss with the UF Department of Biology Seahorse Key (SHK) is a continental island near coastal Florida that lacks permanent sources of fresh water and is inhabited by a large population of Florida Cottonmouth snakes, Agkistrodon conanti…. Read More
Snakes are some of the coolest animals on the planet but I’ll admit to something right up front; when a snake surprises me, I still jump, often. Even if I seem composed on the outside, something inside me… Read More
In the past week, three eastern diamondback rattlesnakes were encountered near the Ft. Pickens area on Pensacola Beach. The first was at a condominium unit near the park gate where construction work was occurring, the second was found… Read More
There are 46 species of snakes in Florida and only 6 of them are venomous. These creatures play an important role in our Florida ecosystems. One described even eats venomous snakes and is a federally protected threatened species. Read… Read More
In my job, I get many calls about snakes. Most people want to know how to tell a venomous from a nonvenomous one and how to keep them out of the yard. I was recently reading a new… Read More
Most people know that snakes are ectothermic and the environment is what regulates their body temperature. However, many do not know that they like to maintain their temperature close to 98 F like us. To do this they… Read More
Natural Wakulla by Les Harrison The warmer weather’s return has many residents of Wakulla County believing the winter of 2017/18 is done, and it might be. The nightly ruckus of toads and frogs staking out their territory becomes… Read More
Pygmy Rattlesnakes are one of the most common venomous snakes residents can encounter. They are the smallest of the four venomous species. Sizes vary but they rarely exceed 20” in length. These little guys can be found in many different environments. They… Read More
Recently, I was driving down a residential street near the University of Florida, and all of a sudden something long and black slithered very quickly across the street. I stopped to watch it disappear into the shrubs in… Read More
Florida provides many opportunities to enjoy nature. Those who like hiking, camping or swimming may have been acquainted with the many species of snakes native to the state—46 to be exact. While this number may scare some people, only… Read More
