About this series

• As residential and commercial development expands across Florida, wildlife is adapting to live closer to people.
• The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) shares tips through Ask IFAS Extension publications, available in English and Spanish, to help residents and visitors understand, learn to coexist with and protect themselves and our wildlife.
• This month’s Wildlife Watch installment spotlights how to recognize Florida’s venomous snakes.

Warmer spring weather means more outdoor activities for both Floridians and native venomous snakes.

To help residents understand why snake sightings increase this time of year, where they are most commonly found and how to recognize them from afar, UF/IFAS experts are spotlighting the ASK IFAS Extension publication Recognizing Florida’s Venomous Snakes, also now available in Spanish.

Florida is home to about 50 native snake species, and six of those are venomous including five pit vipers. These include the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, two species of cottonmouth, the copperhead and the coral snake.

“Snakes are reptiles and are most active when they are warm. As spring arrives and the days get warmer, snakes and other reptiles (i.e. turtles, lizards, alligators) become more active,” said Steven Johnson, professor and interim chair of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. “They’ve been mostly dormant during the winter and start to come out of hiding in spring to hunt for food, and many species are also searching for mates. The fine weather also means that people are more active outdoors so the potential for encountering a snake increases.”

Florida’s venomous snakes live in a wide range of habitats, from lakes and swamps to forests and brushy fields. Some species are found statewide, but others are restricted to smaller portions of Florida. For example, copperheads only occur west of Tallahassee in a small area along the Apalachicola River and in the northern parts of Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties in the western panhandle. Timber rattlesnakes, on the other hand, are only regularly found in the northern peninsula north of Gainesville. Cotton mouths and the other three venomous species are found throughout the state.

“Florida is one of the most rapidly growing states in the country, and the extent of residential development continues to expand. Thus, humans are increasingly encroaching in natural areas that are home to our diversity of snakes, including venomous species,” Johnson said. “It’s not so much that snakes are becoming more common in residential areas, but rather that residential areas are becoming more common in areas that harbor snakes.”

Some nonvenomous species closely resemble their venomous counterparts, making identifying them at a distance difficult for the untrained eye.

That is why experts emphasize keeping your distance.

The publication walks readers through key identification tips, including patterns, coloration and habitat clues, while cautioning against common myths.

The five species of pit vipers all share several characteristics. They get the name “pit viper” because of a specially adapted heat-sensing pit located in front of the eyes used for detecting their prey and finding places to hide that provide them with suitable temperatures. The pupils of their eyes are vertical, almost cat-like, and they have a deep facial pit between each eye and nostril. These characteristics can be difficult to see unless a snake is examined closely, which is why experts stress not relying on these characteristics alone when seeking to tell apart the venomous from non-venomous snakes. Pit vipers also have thick, blocky heads with an obvious neck, explained Johnson.

Also, did you know that head shape alone is not a reliable way to determine whether a snake is venomous?

A triangular-shaped head does not mean a snake is venomous. When they feel threatened, some nonvenomous species will flatten their head and flare their jaws, making their head triangular.

“This bluffing behavior makes them look more intimidating and helps ward-off potential predators,” he said.

Florida’s pit vipers also have a thin ridge, known as a keel, along the center of the scales on their backs, giving them a rough, dull appearance. And relative to their length, pit vipers are heavy-bodied snakes.

By understanding how to recognize Florida’s venomous snakes and where they are most likely to be encountered, residents can better appreciate the wildlife around them while staying safe outdoors.

Johnson recommends several steps to help ensure safety when encountering a snake outdoors.

“The safest thing to do, for you and the snake, is to keep a distance of several feet between you and the snake and just enjoy your fortunate encounter,” he said. “Use your phone to take a photo, zooming in while keeping your distance, and observe the snake’s size, color and markings.”

He also suggests using an identification app, such as iNaturalist, while taking the photo to help determine the species.

Johnson emphasizes never handling or harassing a venomous snake.

“Doing so significantly increases your chances of being bitten, something that is otherwise highly unlikely,” he said. “It is also important to watch where you step when walking outdoors and wear closed-toed shoes when hiking in natural areas.”

Para accesar a este contenido en español, por favor utilice este enlace. 

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By Lourdes Mederos, rodriguezl@ufl.edu

ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.  ifas.ufl.edu  |  @UF_IFAS

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