The Burmese Python gets a lot of attention being in the Everglades. However, there’s a lot of other snakes in the Park. In fact, there’s 23 snake species that live in the Everglades and four of these are venomous. Although the Burmese Python is a big problem in the Park, these other native snakes help keep the ecosystem in check by preying on other snakes, rodents, and invertebrates, while also being a food source for certain birds and alligators.
The four venomous snakes the Everglades are: The Eastern coral snake, the Florida cottonmouth, the dusky pigmy rattlesnake, and the eastern diamondback rattlesnake.
Eastern Coral Snake – This snake is made up of beautiful colors red, yellow, and black bands running down its body. It can be found in a wooded habitat. It spends most its time underground or under foliage. It is an elusive creature. They are not confrontational and hardly bite. Less than 1 percent of bites in North America come from this snake every year. Good thing. Why? Their bite is the most venomous of all the snakes in North America. The bite really isn’t painful, but it can cause death within a few hours.
Florida Cottonmouth – This snake is known as the “water moccasin.” It is a type of pit viper and is the only semiaquatic viper species in the world. You can spot this snake around shallow waters like streams and marshes. They are black, brown, tan or olive. The cottonmouths have thick bodies and can grow up to six feet long. Their bite is painful and can lead to death.
Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake— This snake only grows up to 2 to 3 feet in length with a gray body and black/brown spots on its back and white flecks on its stomach. You can find this snake in wet and dry areas. They are aggressive and quick to bite. With small fangs, they only release a small amount of venom, so the bite is rarely fatal; however, their bite can be more dangerous to a child or pet.
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake – This snake can grow up to 8 feet and is often found in the water and underground. It has dark diamonds on its body separated by a whitish color. This snake isn’t aggressive and warns threats by rattling its tail.
Can you tell the difference between a poisonous and non-poisonous snake? There’s a couple ways. Most snakes with a triangular head are venomous. Snakes with length-wise stripes are non-venomous. It’s best to just avoid interacting with these snakes or any snake. If you want snakes to stay away from you, it’s a good idea to make a lot of noise while walking on a trail or wooded area, so the snakes are aware you’re around. Keep your hands out of common snake hiding spots like logs, brush, leaves and rock piles.
Although snakes may be interesting to look at, they are not fun to run into, especially the aggressive or venomous species. To avoid running into a snake, tour the Everglades on an airboat! On an airboat tour, you’ll get to see the snakes’ habitats from a safe distance.
To check out the Park, book an Everglades airboat tour with Captain Mitch through the Everglades today!
