Eastern CoachWhip
Ring-necked Snake
Florida banded watersnake
Eastern Copperhead
Eastern Copperheads, Agkistrodon contortrix, are beautiful snakes that are most often found in wet forested areas. Copperheads are thick-bodied and adults grow to 22-36 inches long. Their alternating light and dark colors provide extraordinary camouflage on the forest floor. Meals consist of lizards, amphibians, insects, birds, small mammals, and other snakes.
In the spring, male Copperheads will travel long distances to find a mate. Females give birth to 7-20 live young in the summer. The little ones, who are born with a color pattern like their parents, wiggle their bright yellow tails to attract lizards and frogs for a tasty meal.
Copperheads are venomous snakes. Like all snakes, they only strike out at humans when they are defending themselves. Watch your step. Because they are masters at camouflage, Copperheads can easily be stepped upon. Luckily, the venom is not very potent and deaths are rare. However, if you are bitten by a Copperhead, be sure to seek medical attention immediately.
Fun Fact: Copperheads are pit vipers. A pit viper senses small temperature changes in its surroundings. This allows it to strike out with accuracy at the perceived danger or prey.
Map: UF IFAS Extension University of Florida
Photo Credit: Dan Kon
Eastern Indigo Snake
Eastern Coral Snake
Eastern Coral snakes, Micrurus fulvius, have a bright, glossy, distinct pattern. Their heads are black and their tails are yellow and black. Red and black rings separated by thin yellow rings make up the rest of their body.
An adult Coral snake will grow to 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 feet long. Prey consists of frogs, lizards, and other snakes. Coral snakes are the only venomous snakes in Florida that are part of the cobra (Elapidae) family, therefore, they lay eggs.
From scrubs to swamps, Eastern Coral snakes can be found in numerous habitats throughout Florida. Because they spend most of their time hiding under logs or underground, an occasional Coral snake sighting can be a wonderful discovery.
A bite from this venomous snake is extremely rare, however, their bites are dangerous to pets and people. Bites occur when the Coral snake is threatened. When you discover a coral snake, simply give it space so we can peacefully coexist.
Photo credit: Dan Kon
Brahminy Blind Snake
The Brahminy Blind Snake (Indotyphlops braminus) is also known as the Flower Pot Snake because it hitchhiked from Asia to Florida in shipments of potted plants.
All Brahminy Blind Snakes are female. Reproduction occurs when the cells in the egg begin to divide. A single snake can produce eight genetically identical babies.
This tiny snake is often mistaken for an earthworm. On closer inspection, you will see that she has no segments, and her eye sockets are covered with scales. She may even stick out her tongue while you are holding her.
Look for Brahminy Blind Snakes in your garden under rotting wood, leaf litter, and mulch. They pose no known threat to natives. Their favorite dinner of termites and ant pupae can be found when they burrow into moist, loose soil.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty1DnxHpVqA&feature=youtu.be
Eastern Hognose Snake
Eastern Hognose Snakes (Heterodon platirhinos) are found throughout Florida, with the exception of the Keys. Their habitat is diverse and includes scrub, sandhills, turkey oak woodlands, hardwood hammocks, pine woodlands, meadows, and even cultivated fields. Hognose snakes secrete a mild venom that is toxic to their prey. They are not known to cause serious injuries to humans; however, some people may show signs of an allergy if bitten.
Hognose snakes are thick-bodied and vary in color from solid gray or black to various shades of brown, yellow, orange, olive, or red with large, randomly shaped markings. The underside can be off-white, gray, or yellow, with the bottom side of the tail lighter in color. An average adult grows to 20-35 inches. Hognose snakes breed in spring. Females lay 15-25 leathery eggs in sandy soil or under logs. In 1-2 months, the hatchlings break free of their eggs and are 6 1/2 to 9 1/2 inches long.
Active only during daylight hours, Hognose snakes use their blunt noses to search through soil and leaf litter for their meals. They may dine on frogs, insects, salamanders, and invertebrates, but toads are their favorite dinner. When a toad is threatened, it will puff itself up. Immune to the toad’s poison, Hognose snakes are equipped with rear fangs, which enable them to pop the toad-like a balloon before swallowing it whole.
Eastern Hognose Snakes are best known for their dramatic display when warding off danger. Also known as a Puff Adder, a hognose snake will suck in air, flatten its head, rise like a cobra, and hiss when a threat is detected. With its mouth closed, it may strike. If this display does not scare away the predator, the hognose will flip itself over and imitate death. It may convulse, regurgitate, and emit foul-smelling fecal matter before becoming completely still with its mouth open and tongue hanging out. When the danger passes, the Hognose snake will simply roll over and get on with enjoying its day.
Photo Credit: Andy Waldo
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