A: The most important thing to do is to stay away from them as most bites and injuries occur when people poke at the snake or try to pick it up. Snakes are not going to chase you down and attack – you can definitely out run them. Even if the ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
Q: I have a snake in my yard that is not afraid of us, but should we be afraid of it? It has a small head, mostly black with a yellow stripe down the side. A: I believe you have a garter snake ( Thamnophis sirtalis) or a ribbon snake ( Thamnophis ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
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. ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, WildlifeLast month three Burmese Python hatchlings were found in Key Largo. This is concerning. Burmese Pythons are large snakes - up to 18 ft. - and can eat a wide variety of vertebrate animals - including alligators. They can certainly cause a problem ... READ MORE
Category: Invasive SpeciesBy Les Harrison Wakulla County Extension Director Words are a curious human creation. Each has at least one meaning or implication to the listener. The terms used today date back to long before recorded history began. Countless academics ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife
-- There are approximately 44 species of snakes found in Florida. The Southern Copperhead is one of only six venomous snakes that one might encounter while outdoors in the Florida Panhandle. A uniquely beautiful and secretive snake, ... READ MORE
Category: AgricultureRecently, 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 someone’s yard, marveling ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, Wildlife
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 six ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Forests, SFYL Hot Topic, WildlifeLes Harrison is the UF/IFAS Wakulla County Extension Director Invasive species are encroaching on Florida's natural plant and animal inhabitants. From the Tropical Soda Apple, to Burmese pythons and Cuban treefrogs, the indigenous population ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, WildlifeMost people, including myself, have been taught this. Snakes are in an unusual situation of trying to kill prey with no hands or claws. A few can inject venom, others either swallow it whole (such as an egg) or the coil around their prey “suffocating” ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources, Wildlife