venomous snakes of fl

how many sp of venomous snakes in fl?

6 (7)

what are the 6 venomous snake sp in fl

-copperhead (only rlly in panhandle)

-cottonmouth

-coral snake

-diamond backed rattlesnake

-pygmy rattlesnake

-timber rattlesnake

characteristics of venomous pit vipers (all together)

-thick, blocky head w obvious neck

-heavy bodied for their length

-relatively short, thick tail

-heat sensitive pit on side of face

-complete scales on underside of tail

-keeled scales (in some non-venomous too) (why watersnakes are confused a lot)

-often a dark band from eye to corner of jaw

-elliptical pupil

pit viper vs. elapid (coral snake) dentition

pit viper: solenoglyph dentition (fangs hollow and erectile, sit on rotating maxilla bone)

elapid: proteroglyph dentition (fangs hollow and permanently erect sit on fixed maxilla bone)

difference between pit viper and elapid venom

pit viper: predominately hemotoxic (affecting tissues)

elapid: predominately neurotoxic

cottonmouth/water moccasin (pit viper)

-pit viper characteristics

-variable colors

-more terrestrial than one might think

-not super aggressive

-most common bites in this area - really just because they are common snakes

-occur in entire state

how can you tell the difference between watersnakes and water moccasins?

water snakes have prominent labial bars

copperhead - pit viper

-only occur in panhandle

-dont get quite as big

-hourglass markings on distinctive colored peach body

-juveniles have sulfur yellow tail (cottonmouths too) - can use as a lure for prey

-very good at camo

eastern diamond backed rattlesnake - pit viper

-really distinctive diamond pattern (though there can be individual variation)

-found in entire state of fl

-more of an uplands snake

-at some pt may get federally listed as threatened

timber rattlesnake - pit viper

-seen in north florida

-chevron type print and rusty colored line running down back

pygmy rattlesnake - pit viper

-very distinctive, gray body with brown/black spots and an orange line running down back

-heavy bodied for length even though they don’t get that big

-seen throughout entire state

-can be individual variation

eastern (harlequin) coral snake - elapid

-entire state

-looks like scarlet kingsnake or scarletsnake

-but if yellow band touches red band - STOP

-black tip to snout

-there is individual variation

why should you not handle a dead venomous snake?

can still get bit