Cottonmouth Florida Venomous Snakes
Here is what they look like where they are typically found in the state and how to identify them outdoors.
Cottonmouth florida venomous snakes. Cottonmouth snakes are the only venomous water snake in north america and are part of the pit viper family that includes rattlesnakes mamushi vipers and more. The eastern diamondback rattler has the most lethal bite. A florida man says his life flashed before his eyes after a venomous cottonmouth snake bit him on a foot and left his leg in throbbing pain last week. Referred to as the green tailed moccasin the cottonmouth is found in swampy regions along the water and wooded areas.
The florida cottonmouth can attain lengths of up to 1 892 mm. Although 50 species of snakes are found in florida only the 6 listed here are venomous and a danger to humans. The remaining 44 species and its subspecies are harmless and should be protected for the beneficial role they play in natural ecosytems eating insects rodents rabbits and other small prey. The snake produces venom that damages the tissues.
Baby cottonmouths are as dangerous as their parents and learning how to identify them is an essential skill. Florida snake identification key cottonmouth florida cottonmouth moccasin water moccasin. However there are just 6 venomous snakes in florida. The diamondback and canebrake rattlesnake cottonmouth and coral snake are found in every county in the state the dusky rattlesnake and copperhead are found in the.
It s a semi aquatic viper that you might find around any body of fresh water in the southeastern united states. Death is rare although bites in humans often require amputations. The agkistrodon piscivorus conanti is one of the most venomous snakes found in florida. A brief description of the venomous snakes of florida is provided below.
Agkistrodon piscivorus lacépède 1789 the following will separate the two cottonmouths found in florida if you are unable to distinguish between them based on the characteristics in the key below you probably can do so using the geographic location alone. The cottonmouth is a common and venomous florida snake also called a water moccasin. These snakes are highly venomous and pose a genuine danger to humans. This pitviper snake is also known by the name green tailed moccasin.
The eastern diamondback rattlesnake the timber rattlesnake the dusky pygmy rattlesnake the coral snake the cottonmouth and the copperhead. Reaching lengths of up to 6 foot long the florida cottonmouth is the most venomous snake in the state. Venomous and poisonous snakes of florida the state of florida is home to the eastern diamondback rattlesnake canebrake rattlesnake dusky pigmy rattlesnake southern copperhead florida cottonmouth and the eastern coral snake.
