4 Exotic Invasive Snakes in Florida that Aren’t Burmese Pythons

Florida has an exceptionally warm environment. It is thanks to this environment that a lot of types of reptiles call it home. Did you understand that Florida is in fact home to 46 types of native snakes? It doesn’t matter if you dislike snakes — they are extremely crucial to the environment in Florida and throughout the world. Thanks to snakes, numerous rodent populations, which spread out illness to human beings, are kept at bay. Moreover, numerous lizards are likewise terrific meals for numerous birds, alligators, snakes, and even specific mammals. However, not every snake that resides in Florida benefits the environment. Some intrusive snakes in Florida are more difficulty than good.

The Burmese python is among the most widely known intrusive types in the Floridian environment, however did you understand that there are others? Several other intrusive unique snakes are quite hazardous to the natural environment of Florida. Are you thinking about discovering them? Learn about the unique types that aren’t Burmese pythons and the kind of havoc they wreak on the environment.

1. Boa Constrictor

Since the 1970s, boa constrictors have actually ended up being rather many in Florida. They are in fact belonging to Latin America. Even though they have actually been presented to numerous areas of Florida, they are just developed in the Charles Deering Estate in Miami.

When you discover a boa constrictor, you can presume it’ll be anywhere in between 10-116 inches. For those that don’t understand, this is among the biggest snakes in the world, and it has a durable body to keep it going. You’ll right away acknowledge them as they have “saddles” along their body and their color ends up being reddish towards their tail. This snake is typically grayish brown, tan, light brown, or cream in color.

One of the most typical methods boa constrictors make it out into the wild is through family pet stores. They are typically offered as animals; sometimes, they can get away or are launched by their owners. Sometimes, lots of boa constrictors will be let loose at the same time. This typically occurs when there is cyclone damage that takes place, such as Hurricane Andrew back in 1992 which harmed numerous centers.

Researchers have actually kept in mind that there is proof that boa constrictors feed upon lots of various rodents, that include both squirrels and opossums in Florida. Since they are among the most effective types of constrictor snakes, they can likewise feed upon bigger animals such as birds, lizards, and numerous mammals. As an outcome of their consuming routines, a number of vertebrate types are at danger of being adversely affected by these snakes.

2. Anaconda

It has actually been reported that anacondas have actually been spotted living in Florida’s Everglades, which has actually shocked many individuals. Regarding hazardous animals, anacondas are among the most hazardous worldwide. It is thought that both green and yellow anaconda made their method into the Everglades and are now living together with Burmese pythons and numerous other types of snakes. In regards to where they live, they are mostly discovered in bodies of water. This is due to the fact that they can camouflage themselves well in the water. Researchers likewise think that this is how the anaconda has actually remained concealed for a lot of years in the state.

The anaconda was very first identified in Florida in 2003 around the Trail Lakes Campground. However, nobody understands simply for how long this types has actually been residing in the state. In addition, scientists are uncertain the number of anacondas reside in the Everglades. However, female anacondas can produce as much as 80 children each year. Many animals have actually been presented into South Florida inadvertently also. This is why researchers are unsure of how they made their way into the Everglades.

This snake is also giant in size. They can grow to be up to 30 feet in length! Additionally, the green anaconda is also considered to be the heaviest snake in the world. This snake can sometimes even weigh more than 400 pounds.

Besides having olive green coloring along its sides, this invasive snake in Florida also has dark splotches along its back. Even though they’re not venomous, they can be quite deadly. This is why many people find it worrisome that anacondas have actually made a home out of the Everglades.

3. African Rock Python

The African rock python is a large, non-venomous species among the constrictor snakes. It can grow up to 20 feet in length in its native range, but its average size in Florida is around 10 feet. Pythons from Northern Africa can be found in semi-arid and swamp habitats in their native range. Canals and agricultural areas are the best environments for them to flourish. Because they are a native African species, they are not supposed to roam freely throughout the Floridian ecosystem.

These species are considered invasive in Florida due to their impacts on native wildlife. The first reports of them in Florida date back to the early 2000s. There have been reports of them in Sarasota and Miami-Dade counties. In Florida, it is not protected except by anti-cruelty laws. This means landowners have the right to kill it on their property humanely. For identifying one, look for a large, stout-bodied snake with dark blotches that are bordered by black and white and are mostly continuous and irregular. There are often C-shaped markings on the front part of the body that transition to vertical bars on the sides of the body.

For safety reasons, African rock pythons usually stay well hidden in dense vegetation. When cornered, however, juveniles and adults will both strike rapidly. Their bites and constrictions are common when they are writhing and under pressure. Even so, these snakes are not aggressive; striking only comes when defending themselves. They are, however, more likely than Burmese pythons to bite if they feel threatened.

4. Milk Snake

Another invasive snake in Florida almost became a huge problem when it was discovered in the Everglades. Hikers making their way through the Mahogany Hammock Trail in Everglades National Park were startled when they came across a Central American milk snake. They immediately alerted the staff to the sighting. In good luck, the snake was captured by park staff and biologists from the U.S. Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center. 

Another great turn of luck is that it was only a single snake. This was a great relief for the park and the overall Everglades ecosystem that has been devastated by other invasive snakes in Florida. This is an excellent example of how easily an exotic species can go undetected in a non-native habitat and continue to flourish if not stopped.

In their native habitats, milk snakes are known to appear red, yellow, and black-banded. Many people think they are coral snakes that are the same colors. This is why they often get confused with each other. Central American milk snakes, however, are not venomous. They can also grow to be almost 70 inches in length. Since they are non-venomous, they are also often kept as pet snakes.

Nobody knows for sure how this snake got into the Everglades. However, the most popular guess by researchers is that it was inadvertently released into the wild. The milk snake is a carnivore, like other snakes, and it will eat both mammals and birds. If the snake finds itself in a more agricultural environment, it will feast on lizards, other snakes, snake eggs, mice, rats, and even bird eggs. Sometimes they’ll even eat their deadly doppelganger, the coral snake. Their method of capturing prey is by constricting them. They wrap their bodies tightly around the prey until they prevent sufficient blood flow to the heart. Then they can quickly swallow the victim up entire!

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