Florida Water Snake Juvenile

F pictiventris these markings consist of transverse blotches many of them enclosing an oval white spot whereas in n.

Florida water snake juvenile. Rat snake the common predator on wood duck eggs resting on a tree branch in green forest. The florida water snake differs from the southern water snake n. The cottonmouth or water moccasin is a dark colored heavy bodied snake that can grow to an average of 2 4 feet in length. Coral snakes have narrow yellow rings separating wider red and black bands along its body.

Of florida s 46 native species of snakes 45 occur in the north florida region shown in pale green on this map including all six of the venomous species. Gray rat snake elaphe obsoleta alabama. When threatened the florida water snake defends itself by biting and smearing its tormentor with a foul smelling musk. Juvenile pygmy rattlesnakes have beautiful coloration.

If you spot a snake in the water one thing to take note of is how much of the body is visible. Active mainly at night but may be found during the day sunning on banks or on vegetation hanging over the water. There are several harmless florida water snakes that look a bit like cottonmouths in both head shape and coloration. Coral snakes micrurus fulvius are venomous snakes with black yellow and red coloring.

Fasciata they are solid squarish spots. This photo was sent to us by an extension client who needlessly killed the snake and asked that we confirm that it was a venomous species. Common water snakes are the most frequent misidentification as they are found in the water and have similar coloring. Feeds on live or dead fishes frogs and aquatic invertebrates.

Fasciata chiefly in the shape of the markings on the ventrals. American rat snake pantherophis obsoleta hatching from its egg. This venomous juvenile water moccasin also has a wide blocky head and a very obvious neck that is narrower than the head. Cottonmouth compared to a non venomous water snake.

Grey rat snake juvenile lake tohopekaliga florida usa. The cottonmouth has a sharply angled head as most pit vipers do with a pit between its eyes and nostrils. Sometimes coral snakes have a dark splatter pattern like spray paint on the red bands. Juvenile cottonmouths are a brown or tan color with darker reddish brown crossbands containing many speckles down the back.

Only one non native species the tiny brahminy blindsnake is found in north florida. Nerodia fasciata linnaeus 1766 the following will separate the two southern water snakes 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 florida water snake bears live young. The broader range of two of these venomous species just barely extends into north florida.