We’re not attempting to scare you, however − (insert creepy, slithering music right here) − COTTONMOUTH SNAKES!
Seriously, we’re not attempting to scare you. But be careful for the cottonmouths. They’re on the market.
The venomous cottonmouth was probably the most reported snake sighted in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in 2023, in keeping with the recently-released 2023 Pensacola Bay Snake Report.
There have been 49 reported sightings of the cottonmouth between Jan. 1 and Dec. 10. In whole, 4 of the six venomous snake species that reside in Florida have been reported within the two-county space, together with the jap diamondback rattlesnake with seven sightings; the dusky pygmy rattlesnake, which was reported six occasions; and the jap coral snake, which was solely encountered as soon as, although it’s recognized to be extra prevalent, mentioned Escambia County Sea Grant Extension Agent Rick O’Connor, who compiled and spearheaded the report.
If you need to be a part of the 2024 Pensacola Bay Snake Report, ship sighting info to O’Connor at [email protected].
O’Connor compiled the primary Pensacola Bay Snake Report in 2022 and plans to quickly analysis the cottonmouth populations on space barrier islands, noting there are giant populations on barrier islands off of Florida’s “Big Bend” space.
“I’m fascinated by them,” mentioned O’Connor, who additionally spearheads the Extension’s “Living with Florida Snakes” program. “People are normally on two ends of the spectrum. Some cannot get sufficient of them, and so they’re a uncommon group. Much more are afraid. One cause is that they see snakes as, for an absence of a greater phrase, cryptic and sneaky. I’ve had individuals inform me there’s is one thing unsuitable with a creature that does not have legs.”
According to O’Connor’s report, there have been 215 reported snake encounters via Dec. 10. Of the 40 snake species recognized to inhabit the two-county space, 24 have been encountered, most of them innocent.
There have been will increase from 2022 to 2023 − a 136% improve in snake sightings this yr, and 13% extra species have been encountered. But O’Connor attributes that to some extra individuals changing into conscious of the report. There will most likely be extra will increase in 2024 for a similar cause.
Breaking the report down geographically, 13 species have been encountered in north Escambia County, 16 species in south Escambia County, 17 species in north Santa Rosa County and 11 species in south Santa Rosa. O’Connor would not like to interrupt it down greater than that for concern of poachers zeroing in on habitats. (By the way in which, the cottonmouth was present in all 4 areas.)
Realtor John Douglas of Cantonment − in keeping with his Facebook profile, he is additionally a “time traveler, poet” and “common Gulf Coast Dad” – has had loads of snake encounters since transferring to the household home in Cantonment greater than a yr in the past. There’s a pond on the property − a pond with catfish, brim, crawfish and, sure, snakes.
“We have a pleasant assortment of water snakes out right here and my son and I’ve grown fairly keen on them,” he mentioned. “But these snakes are all non-venomous and fairly lovely. They have grown used to seeing me so you will get proper subsequent to them, they do not care. The largest one is about 5 toes lengthy and a few occasions as I walked across the pond it might swim alongside simply in entrance of me and would eat the frogs that may bounce off the financial institution again into the pond. It used me in its hunt. It was so cool … they’re all of their underground bunkers and holes now.” (Spring was the main month for reported sightings with 80. Fall had the least sightings with 17.)
Most snake encounters are innocent. Though they could give a person a momentary fright. Gwendolyn Mercer of Pensacola has had a number of of these encounters, together with just a bit scare from a shock face-to-face with a hog nostril snake.
“I used to be pulling some weeds out entrance as a result of the hill is just too steep for me to tug the lawnmower,” she mentioned. “When I pulled up a wad of useless dandelions, he got here working out. Well, sliding. Snakes do not run.”
Scared? Nah, not likely.
“I imply, it startled me as a result of I wasn’t anticipating a bit dude to be below there,” she mentioned. “I used to be a bit offended when he flattened his head and hissed at me.”
The Escambia County Extension is now collaborating in a mission, Snake Lungworm Alliance Monitoring (SLAM), that collects deceased snakes for examination by researchers. If you discover a deceased snake in adequate situation to be dissected, place it in a plastic Ziploc bag, label with the date, location (GPS most popular) and your contact info. You can then convey it to the Escambia County Extension workplace or freeze it and name O’Connor at 850-475-5230 or e-mail [email protected] to rearrange decide up.
To learn the 2023 Pensacola Bay Area Snake Report, go to 2023 Pensacola Bay Snake Watch Annual Report | Panhandle Outdoors (ufl.edu).
