Florida's is home to at least 44 species of snakes. This year Florida's notorious snake season has started early due to anomalously hot and dry weather that has persisted since the first of May.
Snakes do not possess the ability to regulate their body temperature so as the ground has become drier and the air hotter snakes will often attempt to cool themselves in trees, on bushes, on fences, anywhere above ground where it might be slightly cooler. Larger snakes will often move up to shady places near houses and around dripping water hoses.
See a longer list of Florida Snakes at these links
The heat and the abundance of snakes can make for some scary afternoon walks, if you're afraid of snakes, as snakes are regularly seen falling from trees, bushes, or fences trying to, well, escape from you. Snakes are just as afraid of you as you are of them.
This full grown Diamondback Rattlesnake is more than 6 - feet long and was hanging out near a water hose. I accidentally stepped on her. She retreated, as most snakes will.
How long will this heat last? Probably until November. The exceptional heat, however, may end at some point. By categorizing this heat wave as "anomalous," NOAA has pretty much said they don't know why, nor how long it will last. Long range models are starting to show some limited showers returning to the Florida peninsula around the first week of June, 2019, however, NOAA is currently forecasting only a 10-20% chance of said showers materializing.
So what are the most common snakes you'll encounter in Central Florida on these hot and dry days and how common are they?
Florida's 12 Most Common Snakes
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Rat snake photos Courtesy of Daniel D. Dye
7. Crowned Snakes, (Tantilla spp.)
BOTTOM: Southeastern Crowned Snake Tantilla relicta neilli
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10. Southern Copperhead,Copperhead, Highland Moccasin, or Chunkhead (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix)
Range: In Florida, this snake occurs only in the panhandle, primarily along the Apalachicola River and its tributaries, and then in the western tip of the panhandle. If you're in Gadsden, Liberty, Jackson, or Calhoun Counties you might get the rare treat (or fright) of encountering the Southern Copperhead. Its current range is expanding and might extend to anywhere in Florida, but there are no confirmed records from other Florida counties. Outside Florida, the species ranges north to Massachusetts, and west to Texas and southeastern Nebraska.
Habitat: The preferred habitat is low, wet areas around swamps, stream beds, river bottoms, and damp ravines, but it also occurs on the hillsides above the wet areas. It also is found in suburban neighborhoods near people.
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11. Cottonmouth, Florida Cottonmouth, Water Moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
Range: Found throughout Florida. The species extends north to Virginia and west to Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Habitat: Any wetlands or waterway in the state. Cottonmouths can be found along streams, springs, rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, sloughs, reservoirs, retention pools, canals, and roadside ditches. It occasionally wanders far from water, and has been found in bushes and trees.
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12. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)
Habitat: Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes are often found in pine flatwoods, longleaf pine and turkey oak, sand pine scrub areas, and coastal barrier islands. These habitats contain palmetto thickets and Gopher Tortoise burrows in which the Diamondback Rattlesnake may seek refuge. Humans have invaded many of Florida's pine flatwoods and scrub areas which now contain farms, homes and shopping plazas. As a result, the displaced Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes may be turn up in backyards, golf courses, and even parking lots.
I've encountered more of these snakes than any of the other venomous snakes of Florida. Not only do they blend in perfectly with the environment, making them very hard to see, but when I've accidentally stepped on them they flee. See my photos of a rather large Diamondback Rattlesnake that I stepped on, accidentally, in 2008.
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This is my list of the 12 most common snakes that one might encounter in Florida (there are many more species of venomous and non-poisonous snakes in Florida).
All of these snakes serve an important ecological function and should be respected. By respect I mean they should be left alone to live their lives without interference or hostility from humans.
Photos Courtesy of Daniel D. Dye
Florida Backyard Snakes
1. Black Racers, (Coluber constrictor priapus)
By far the most common snake one will encounter in Florida. Black racers are everywhere. The large ones can be quite intimidating, especially when one falls from a tree at your feet on a very hot day. Remember, this snake is harmless and performs an important ecological function in the Florida environment.Average size: 20-56 inches; Record 72 inches.
Range: Throughout most of Florida.
Diet: Lizards, snakes, frogs, insects, rodents and small birds.
Status: Common
Note that the Southern Black Racer has a white chin.
An Indigo Snake normally has a dark to reddish orange chin.
Coachwhip photos Courtesy of Daniel D. Dye
Florida Backyard Snakes
2. Coachwhip Snake, (Masticophis flagellum flagellum)
Average Size: 50-72 inches; Record 102 inches.
Range: Throughout Florida, excluding the Florida Keys.
Diet: Lizards, snakes, rodents and birds.
Status: Locally abundant, found in pine and palmetto flatwoods,
longleaf pine, and turkey oak sandhills.
Photos above and below
by Phillip Lott
Photo Courtesy of Daniel D. Dye
Florida Backyard Snakes
3. Water Snakes, (Nerodia fasciata pictiventris)
Average Size: 24-42 inches; Record 62.5 inches.
Young are 7.5-10.5 inches at birth.
Range: Throughout Florida Peninsula
Diet: Live or dead fish, frogs, and aquatic invertebrates.
Status: Common
Kingsnake photos Courtesy of Daniel D. Dye
Florida Backyard Snakes
4. Kingsnakes, (Lampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata)
AKA Common Kingsnake, Florida Kingsnake
Average size: 30-40 inches; Record 47 inches.
Young are about 5-7 inches at birth.
Range: Primarily in the Florida Panhandle
Diet: Snakes, lizards, and rodents.
Status: Becoming Rare.
May be found near pine lands, hardwood hammocks,
sandhills, prairies, and agricultural fields.
Spends much of its life below ground.
SUBSPECIES Lampropeltis calligaster occipitolineata
AKA South Florida Mole Kingsnake
Average Size: 18-30 inches.
Young are 5-7 inches at birth.
Range: Central Florida
Diet: Snakes, lizards, and rodents.
Status: Rare.
May be found near pine lands, hardwood hammocks,
sandhills, prairies, and agricultural fields.
Spends much of its life below ground.
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5. Crayfish Snakes, (Regina alleni)
5. Crayfish Snakes, (Regina alleni)
Average Size: 14-20 inches; Record 26 inches.
Range: Found throughout the peninsula
Diet: Mainly crayfish.
Status: Common
They are found in sawgrass prairie, cypress stands,
canals, sphagnum bogs and swamps.
Crayfish snake photos Courtesy of Daniel D. Dye
Florida Backyard Snakes
6. Rat Snakes
Rat snakes can give you a scare if you stumble upon them. Often up to 6 feet long are longer and as thick (especially after eating), encountering a rat snake in the garage can be traumatizing for some. They look a lot like a rattlesnake but have a different head and are non-venomous. They also come in a variety of colors. The most striking is the red rat snake that looks like something from a fantasy horror movie at first glance.
Average Size: 36-72 inches: Record 84.25 inches
Young are 11-17 inches at birth.
Range: Throughout the panhandle.
Diet: Rodents and birds.
Status: Common
Commonly called the "oak snake."
Gray Rat Snakes
Rat snake photos Courtesy of Daniel D. Dye
Florida Backyard Snakes
Black Rat Snake (Pantherophis obsoletus)
Record length 101 inches (2.6 m)
the longest snake in North America
Diet: Other snakes, frogs, lizards, birds.
Rat snake photos Courtesy of Daniel D. Dye
Florida Backyard Snakes
Red Rat Snake (Pantherophis guttatus)
Average Size: 18-44 inches; Record 72 inches.
Range: Throughout Florida
Diet: Rodents and birds.
Young will eat lizards and frogs.
Status: Common
7. Crowned Snakes, (Tantilla spp.)
You most likely encounter crowned snakes while digging in the garden, especially on hot days. They will be just below the surface of the leaf litter trying to cool themselves.
TOP: Central Florida Crowned Snake Tantilla coronata coronata
Average Size: 7-12.5 inches
Ranges: Northwest Panhandle
Diet: Insect Larvae, small centipedes and other small insects.
Status: Common, however rarely seen above ground.
BOTTOM: Southeastern Crowned Snake Tantilla relicta neilli
Average Size: 7-9 inches
Range: North Florida.
Diet: Insect larvae, small centipedes and other small insects
Status: Common, however seldom seen above ground.
Crownerd snake photos Courtesy of Daniel D. Dye
Florida Backyard Snakes
8. Garter and Ribbon Snakes, (Thamnophis sauritus sakeni)
Average Size: 20-28 inches; Record 40 inches.
Young are 7-9 inches at birth.
Range: Throughout Florida.
Diet: Frogs, toads, lizards, fish and salamanders
Status: Common
Green snake photos Courtesy of Daniel D. Dye
Florida Backyard Snakes
9. Green Snakes, (Opheodrys aestivus)
aka Rough Green Snake
Average Size: 22-32 inches; Record 45.4 inches.
Young are 7-8 inches at birth.
Range: Throughout Florida
Diet: Insects, crickets, grasshoppers, etc.
Status: Common.
Southern Copperhead Photo: Shep Eubanks UF/IFAS
Range: In Florida, this snake occurs only in the panhandle, primarily along the Apalachicola River and its tributaries, and then in the western tip of the panhandle. If you're in Gadsden, Liberty, Jackson, or Calhoun Counties you might get the rare treat (or fright) of encountering the Southern Copperhead. Its current range is expanding and might extend to anywhere in Florida, but there are no confirmed records from other Florida counties. Outside Florida, the species ranges north to Massachusetts, and west to Texas and southeastern Nebraska.
Habitat: The preferred habitat is low, wet areas around swamps, stream beds, river bottoms, and damp ravines, but it also occurs on the hillsides above the wet areas. It also is found in suburban neighborhoods near people.
Average Size: 20-37 inches; Record 53 inches.
Range: Found especially along the Apalachicola River
Diet: Mainly rodents (rats, mice).
Status: Common
They are found in mixed woodlands.
Behavior: Like all pit vipers this snake would rather avoid humans, however, this viper will freeze in place rather than fleeing. That doesn't mean the snake wants to tangle with a much larger human. Retreat if you encounter the Southern Copperhead.
11. Cottonmouth, Florida Cottonmouth, Water Moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
Range: Found throughout Florida. The species extends north to Virginia and west to Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Average Size: Commonly exceed 3-feet Record: 74" (that's 6'2")
Range: Found throughout Florida
Diet: Whatever it wants. This pit viper will eat mammals, birds, amphibians, fish, snakes, small turtles, and small alligators.
Status: Common
They are found anywhere in Florida but especially near water.
Behavior: Aggressiveness is highly overrated. The studies that have been performed show that in more than 50% of cases a cottonmouth will retreat before tangling with a human. Give them some space but be aware that they have been known to be aggressive.
Habitat: Any wetlands or waterway in the state. Cottonmouths can be found along streams, springs, rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, sloughs, reservoirs, retention pools, canals, and roadside ditches. It occasionally wanders far from water, and has been found in bushes and trees.
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12. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)
Average Size: 3 - 5 feet; Record over 7 feet weighing +35 pounds
Range: Found throughout the peninsula
Diet: Mammals, mice, birds. Especially cottontail rabbits.
Status: Common
They are found in sawgrass prairie, cypress stands,
canals, sphagnum bogs and swamps.
Preferred habitat: Dry sandhills sharing gopher tortoise burrows.
Range: Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes are found throughout the state of Florida, including several barrier islands and the Florida Keys. Outside of Florida, they range north along the coastal plain to southeastern North Carolina and west to southern Mississippi and eastern Louisiana.Preferred habitat: Dry sandhills sharing gopher tortoise burrows.
Note that the preferred habitat of this most common venomous snake in Florida is the same habitat that is preferred for housing developments. High and dry sandhills.
Habitat: Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes are often found in pine flatwoods, longleaf pine and turkey oak, sand pine scrub areas, and coastal barrier islands. These habitats contain palmetto thickets and Gopher Tortoise burrows in which the Diamondback Rattlesnake may seek refuge. Humans have invaded many of Florida's pine flatwoods and scrub areas which now contain farms, homes and shopping plazas. As a result, the displaced Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes may be turn up in backyards, golf courses, and even parking lots.
I've encountered more of these snakes than any of the other venomous snakes of Florida. Not only do they blend in perfectly with the environment, making them very hard to see, but when I've accidentally stepped on them they flee. See my photos of a rather large Diamondback Rattlesnake that I stepped on, accidentally, in 2008.
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Florida's Rarest Snake
You will likely never encounter this snake but consider yourself lucky if you do. This (and other) snakes are on the fast track to extinction and future generations will never be able to admire their beauty in the wild.
Indigo snake photos Courtesy of Daniel D. Dye
Florida Backyard Snakes
1. Indigo Snake, (Drymarchon corais couperi)
Average Size: 60-74 inches; Record 103.5 inches.
Young are 19-24 inches at birth.
Range: Peninsular Florida
Diet: Snakes, including rattlesnakes, cottonmouth,
moccasins, and copperheads, frogs, salamanders, toads, small mammals,
birds, and occasionally young turtles.
Status: THREATENED
In all my years in the Florida outdoors I have only once encountered an Indigo Snake. It was an impressive 8 feet long and thick, and found in my back yard. It fled when it saw me before I could snap a photo.
It is illegal to harass, harm, capture, keep, or kill an eastern indigo snake without specific state and/or federal permits. This is the largest of Florida snakes and requires a relatively large area of undeveloped land. In one study, four male snakes averaged 470 acres for their spring/summer activity ranges; one individual used a territory of 1,400 acres. Habitat for indigos are becoming more and more fragmented by roads and development. This is one reason for the population decline. Some are killed by uninformed people that have no idea that this snake eats venomous pit vipers such as: rattlesnakes, cottonmouth moccasins and copperheads. Education is the key to preserving this awe-inspiring snake.
It is illegal to harass, harm, capture, keep, or kill an eastern indigo snake without specific state and/or federal permits. This is the largest of Florida snakes and requires a relatively large area of undeveloped land. In one study, four male snakes averaged 470 acres for their spring/summer activity ranges; one individual used a territory of 1,400 acres. Habitat for indigos are becoming more and more fragmented by roads and development. This is one reason for the population decline. Some are killed by uninformed people that have no idea that this snake eats venomous pit vipers such as: rattlesnakes, cottonmouth moccasins and copperheads. Education is the key to preserving this awe-inspiring snake.