Cottonmouth Florida Venomous Snakes

Florida snake identification key cottonmouth florida cottonmouth moccasin water moccasin.
Cottonmouth florida venomous snakes. 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. Reaching lengths of up to 6 foot long the florida cottonmouth is the most venomous snake in the state. 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.
Also called water moccasin the cottonmouth is a highly aggressive snake that prefer swampy areas. Although 50 species of snakes are found in florida only the 6 listed here are venomous and a danger to humans. The eastern diamondback rattler has the most lethal bite. 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.
Here is what they look like where they are typically found in the state and how to identify them outdoors. These snakes are highly venomous and pose a genuine danger to humans. The snake produces venom that damages the tissues. This pitviper snake is also known by the name green tailed moccasin.
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. A brief description of the venomous snakes of florida is provided below. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake the timber rattlesnake the dusky pygmy rattlesnake the coral snake the cottonmouth and the copperhead.
Baby cottonmouths are as dangerous as their parents and learning how to identify them is an essential skill. Death is rare although bites in humans often require amputations. However there are just 6 venomous snakes in florida. Florida has six species of venomous snakes.
The agkistrodon piscivorus conanti is one of the most venomous snakes found 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. 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.