2024 Snake Watch Annual Report

I frequently receive calls and emails with questions about snakes, particularly from new families moving into the area.  They want to know what kinds of snakes they are seeing, which species they might see, and which are venomous.  It was because of this we began the SNAKE WATCH PROJECT.  In this project residents report which snakes they are seeing, where they are seeing them, and what time of year they are seeing them.  It is important to note that we are NOT asking the public to purposefully go out and seek snakes – rather, just let us know when they see one when they are just out and about during their day.  This is closer to the information most of the public wants to know.

 

There are 46 species of snakes found in Florida, 40 of those (87%) are found in the Pensacola Bay area.  One reason for our high diversity is the species of snakes that call the Mississippi and Mobile delta’s home – but find their way into the western panhandle of Florida.  Some of these have only been reported from the Pensacola Bay area in the entire state.  Most of these are water snakes and are rarely encountered by the public.

 

Small Snakes (1 ft. or smaller)

Seven of the 40 species (2%) are small snakes – less than 12” full grown.  These are nocturnal by habitat and are nonvenomous.  Most are encountered when doing landscaping or gardening and pose no threat.  In 2024 four of the seven species (57%) were encountered and all were encountered in Escambia County.  That is not to say they are not found in Santa Rosa, it is no one from Santa Rosa County reported them. There were 12 reports in 2024, all but one were during the spring and summer, one was reported in the fall.  The most common species was the southern ring-necked snake (5) closely followed by the Florida red-bellied snakes (4).

 

Southern ring-necked snake.
Photo: Jessica Bickell

 

 

Mid-sized Snakes (1-2 ft.)

There are eight species of mid-sized snakes that exist in the Pensacola Bay area, five of these (63%) were encountered in 2024.  Though most were reported in the spring and summer, mid-sized snakes were encountered throughout the year.  The most encountered species, the eastern garter (15), eastern ribbon (9), and the rough green snake (3) were encountered in both counties.  The scarlet snake was only encountered once (1) – this was in Santa Rosa County during the spring – and the scarlet kingsnake was only encountered once (1) – in Escambia County also during the spring.  It is worth noting that the two species of hognose snakes were not reported in 2024.  Both the southern hognose and the eastern hognose are species on the decline in Florida.  Though the southern hognose is listed as a species found in our area, residents have never encountered one.

 

Garter Snake.
Photo: Molly O’Connor

 

Large Snakes (2 ft. or larger)

There are seven species of large snakes that exist in the bay area.  Five of these (71%) were encountered in 2024.  It is not surprising that many of these snakes are seen – they are large and easier to see.  However, it is worth noting that encounters with some of them are rare – such as the kingsnakes – and two species, the Florida Pine Snake and Eastern Indigo, are very rare.  There has been an encounter with the Florida Pine Snake in the past (2) – but it was not reported in 2024.  There have been no verified reports of the Eastern Indigo Snake since 1997.  It is currently listed as a threatened species in Florida and is federally protected.  Though more reports are submitted in the spring and summer, large snakes are reported all year.  The Eastern Kingsnake (rare) was reported twice – once in Escambia and once in Santa Rosa.  This is good news.  One encounter was during the spring and the other in the summer.  The Corn Snake was encountered five (5) times in 2024.  It was encountered in all seasons except winter and in both counties.  The most encountered larger snakes were the Southern Black Racer (28), the Eastern Coachwhip (17), and the Gray Rat Snake (11).  Each was encountered year round and, in both counties, – except the Gray Rat Snake, which was only reported from Escambia County.

 

The common, and speedy, southern black racer.
Photo: Jacqui Berger

 

 

Water Snakes

13 of the 40 species (32%) found in the bay area are water snakes.  As the name implies, these are snakes who spend most of their time in and around water.  As mentioned, several species are common in the Mobile delta and have found their way to our river systems.  Most are not encountered unless you spend a lot of time in the swamps and basins of our rivers.  Even there, their cryptic nature keeps them hidden.  That said, two species are frequently encountered – the Banded Water Snake and the Brown Water Snake.  Interestingly, the Brown Water Snake was not reported in 2024.  This does not suggest a decline in that species but most likely fewer people visiting their habitat reporting them.  Only 3 of the 13 species (23%) were reported in 2024.  Of those two of them, Gulf Saltmarsh Snake and the Green Water Snake were only reported three times – combined.  The most encountered species was the Banded Water Snake (22).  This water snake is common in local neighborhoods who are near water or have retention ponds.  This snake was reported in all seasons except fall and in both counties.  Over the past three years reports suggest members of this group of snakes are most common during the late winter, spring and summer.  Reports drop off during the fall suggesting a period of inactivity with these snakes.

 

The banded water snake is one of the more commonly encountered water snakes.
Photo: Rick O’Connor

 

 

Venomous Snakes

Though there are six species of venomous snakes reported in Florida, two of them – the Timber rattlesnake and the Southern Copperhead are rare – being more common in the rocky terrain of Alabama and Georgia.  Both species have been reported from Florida but are rare and usually along the state lines.  The other four species are common and are of the most concern with residents and folks moving into the area.  Possibly the most concerning is the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake.  This is the largest venomous snake in the United States and one that everyone knows – though rarely sees.  In 2024 there were 11 reports of this snake in the bay area.  They were reported during all seasons except winter and in both counties.  Most of the reports (6) were during the spring.  At this time of year, they are coming out of brumation and are willing to be encountered as they are seeking food.  It is known that rattlesnakes are secretive and prefer not to be around people.  Though common, there was only one (1) report of the Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake in 2024.  This was during the summer and was in Escambia County.  Based on the “chemical cocktail” of the venom, the most venomous Florida snake is the Eastern Coral Snake.  This is the only non-viper venomous snake in our state.  Coral snakes are in the family Elapidae, which includes the cobras and sea snakes.  Their venom is a neurotoxin and is very toxic.  Coral snakes are common in our area but rarely seen.  They move more at night and beneath leaf litter and are seldom encountered.  Since we began Snake Watch in 2022, there has been only one encounter – that was in 2023 and was in Santa Rosa County.   There were no reports in 2024.  The most frequently encountered venomous snake is the Cottonmouth.  It was not only the most common venomous snake, but it was also the most frequently encountered snake period (38).  They were encountered during all seasons and in both counties. As its other common name (Water moccasin) implies, this snake prefers to be near water – and there is plenty of water in the bay area.  It can be found near rivers, lakes, streams, ditches, water features on golf courses, retention ponds, even brackish water near the beaches.  It has been the #1 or #2 most encountered snake each year of the project.  Though common, bites from cottonmouths are rare, deaths from cottonmouths are almost unheard of.

 

The cottonmouth is one of the more commonly encountered snakes in the western panhandle.
Photo: Bob Jackson

 

 

Nonnative Snakes

The problems with the Burmese python in south Florida have brought the nonnative and invasive snake issue into the news.  But in the Pensacola Bay area we have had only one nonnative snake reported living/breeding in the wild – the Brahminy Blind Snake – also known as the “Flowerpot Snake”.  This is a tiny snake (6 inches or less).  It is most often encountered while gardening and often mistaken for a worm.  It is dark blue/black in color and has tiny eyes that may not be noticed.  I have them in my yard – most often under rocks in our landscape.  You can tell they are snakes by the presence of scales, which worms do not have.  They do not seem to be causing any environmental problem, and certainly are not causing an economic one, and so I do not consider them an invasive species.  In 2024 this snake was encountered twice (2).  Once in the winter and once in the summer.  Both encounters were in Escambia County.

 

As evidenced by the scale adjacent to a quarter, the Brahminy blind snake looks more like a worm than a typical snake!

 

 

Overall for 2024

In 2024 there were 180 reports submitted, and 21 species encountered.  Most reports (85) were submitted in the spring (Apr, May, Jun).  This could be due to both more snakes on the move after their winter brumation, and more people out and about.  During the spring 18 species were encountered with the Southern Black Racer being the most common.  (56) reports were submitted in the summer (Jul, Aug, Sep).  Snakes being reptiles are more active in warmer temperatures, but it can get hot in the summer and snakes will seek cover from the heat – thus, are not encountered as much.  16 species were reported with the Southern Black Racer again being the most common.  There were (27) reports during the winter (Jan, Feb, Mar).  8 species were reported, and the Cottonmouth was the most common.  There were only 12 reports during the fall (Oct, Nov, Dec).  This could be more likely due to fewer people calling in snakes.  There are several who breed during this time of year and their presence is more common than these reports suggest.  There were 17 reports during the fall of 2023 and 20 reports in 2022.  The most common reported species was again the Cottonmouth.

 

The following snakes were only reported in Escambia County.

All of the small snakes (1 ft. or less), Scarlet Kingsnake, Gray rat snakes, Eastern Green Water snake, Pygmy rattlesnake, and the Brahminy Blind Snake. 

 

The following were only reported from Santa Rosa County.

Scarlet snake. 

 

Snakes only reported during the winter (Jan, Feb, Mar)

None… all of the snakes encountered during the winter were encountered during other seasons.

 

Snakes only reported during the spring (Apr, May, Jun)

Scarlet snake, Rough green snake, Scarlet kingsnake, Gulf salt marsh snake, and the Green water snake. 

 

Snakes only reported during the summer (Jul, Aug, Sep)

Southeastern crowned snake and the Pygmy rattlesnake.

 

Snakes only reported during the fall (Oct, Nov, Dec)

None… those reported in the fall were encountered during other seasons.

 

The top three most encountered snakes in 2024 were…

Cottonmouth (38)

Southern Black Racer (28)

Banded Water Snake (22)

 

Overall for the project

Of the 40 species of snakes known to exist in the bay area, 28 (70%) have been encountered by residents out and about.  The following are the 12 species that have yet to be seen…

 

Small snakes…

Smooth earth snake and the Marsh Brown snake. 

 

Mid-Sized snakes…

Southern hognose snake and the Mole kingsnake

 

Large snakes…

Eastern indigo snake

 

Water snakes…

Queen snake, Yellow-bellied water snake, Diamondback water snake, Mud snake, Rainbow snake

 

Venomous snakes…

Southern copperhead and the Timber rattlesnake.

 

Snakes that have only been encountered once in the last three years…

(2022) – Black swamp snake, Glossy crayfish snake, Midland water snake, Western green water snake.

(2023) – Eastern coral snake.

(2024) – Scarlet kingsnake.

 

Reports by time of year…

Winter – 90

Spring – 208

Summer – 139

Fall – 49

 

We will continue this project in 2025.  If you see a snake while out and about, please take a photo and send to me – Rick O’Connor, roc1@ufl.edu.  Let me know where you saw the snake.

 

We offer a program entitled Living with Snakes that provides information on how to deal (live) with the snakes in your neighborhood.  If your community group is interested in having this presentation at one of your meetings – let me know and we will schedule it.

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Posted: January 8, 2025


Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
Tags: Florida Sea Grant, Pensacola Bay, Snakes


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