Discover 9 Snakes That Are Active During the Winter in Florida

Florida is understood for its extremely hot and damp environment. It is due to the fact that of this environment that a lot of lizards, consisting of snakes, take pleasure in living there. In reality, snakes can be discovered all throughout Florida. They are not particular and will reside in swampy locations, mangroves, pine forests, and even in the rivers of the state. All in all, it’s not difficult to discover snakes in this state. There are 45 snake types (70 subspecies) that are discovered throughout the state. Of these 45, there are 23 that are discovered in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). Out of these 23 snake types, just 4 are understood to be poisonous.

As the weather condition up north gets cooler in the cold weather, the weather condition in Florida likewise begins to alter. This is specifically real in the northern parts of Florida. There is a far higher chill consider northern Florida than throughout the Keys or in southern Florida. As the temperature levels lower in northern Florida, someplace listed below about 60°F, numerous snakes up there will begin to brumate. However, in South Florida, snakes are much less most likely to brumate. Instead, they are most likely to look for momentary shelter when the temperature levels begin to drop to the low 40s and lower.

Even if these snakes in the south do brumate, it is just for a brief time duration. That’s why it is so crucial to understand which snakes stay active in Florida throughout the winter. Learn about these 10 snakes that are active throughout Florida’s winter seasons along with other remarkable truths about them.

1. Rim-Rock Crowned Snake

The rim-rock crowned snake is a non-venomous types that is discovered in south Florida. Specifically, this types can just be discovered in Miami-Dade County, Monroe County, and in the Florida Keys in between Key Largo and Key West. They have a quite special look thanks to their pinkish-brown body and their dark black or light brown heads. These snakes likewise have rather small eyes and the color of their snout top is generally a much lighter color than the rest of their head. This nonvenomous tends to grow anywhere in between 7 to 9 inches in length. According to the Endangered and Threatened Species Rule of Florida, the rim-rock crowned snake is a state-designated threatened types.

2. Florida Kingsnake

When it pertains to their environment, Florida kingsnakes can be discovered in varieties south of Taylor County and throughout the Florida Keys. In regards to size, this snake types can grow anywhere in between 36 and 48 inches typically. This snake can likewise be discovered in a range of colors. They can be brown and even yellow. Another remarkable reality about them is that there have actually been reports of these kingsnakes mating with eastern kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula) in the more northern parts of their environment. You’ll likewise more than happy to learn that this types of snake is usually nonvenomous and they seldom bite human beings.

3. Eastern Ribbon Snake

The eastern ribbon snake is simple to find due to the fact that it has 3 light stripes that diminish the length of its body. However, it is very important to note that their base color is generally a much darker tone, anywhere from black to olive green. Their stripes nevertheless can likewise differ in color. Sometimes, they can be white and other times you can discover them in a yellow or blue to light green color. When it pertains to their size, these snakes can grow from 18 to 26 inches in length typically. These snakes look comparable to garter snakes, nevertheless, they do not have venom and are not aggressive. One of the primary places where you can discover these snakes remain in the Florida Keys. Interestingly enough, this is the only striped snake that you can discover if you occur to check out the Keys.

4. Florida Brown Snake

The Florida brown snake is an extremely little and thin types of snake. You can generally discover them in a brown or light brown color. Sometimes they are even tan. Other noteworthy parts of their look are white upper lips and a long light line that diminishes their back. They likewise have parallel lines of dots that run along their back too. As these snakes are pretty small they usually only grow to about nine to 13 inches. They prefer living near water and in more moist and humid areas. This is why you’ll often find them hiding in between water hyacinths. Their diet consists of lots of insects, earthworms, and likewise the occasional slug. This snake is most commonly found in the upper portions of the Florida Keys, but you can also find them on Florida’s east coast north of Duval County.

5. Rough Green Snake

A rough green snake is a non-venomous snake that you can instantly recognize thanks to its long, slender body and its bright green coloring. Another name for this snake happens to be the green whip snake. As you can tell, it is their marvelous green color that gives them their name. They also have yellow or tan bellies that allow them to blend into bushes which is where they primarily hide in search of prey. These gorgeous snakes are known to chow down on lots of different insects including caterpillars, grasshoppers, and crickets. Sometimes, if they’re feeling up to it, they’ll even eat small frogs, spiders, snails, and even moths. This is a larger snake so it is able to grow anywhere from 14 to 33 inches in length. These non-venomous snakes can be found primarily in the Keys as well as near the barrier islands near the coast.

6. Florida Cottonmouth

The Florida cottonmouth, also known as the water moccasin, gets its name from the bright white color of the inside of its mouth. In fact, when this snake feels cornered, it is known for opening its jaw big and wide in order to display its mouth in aggression. Their appearance is well-known because they have either brown or black bands that surround their bodies. However, they get darker which age, which leaves them with a mostly black appearance.

These snakes happen to grow anywhere between 30 to 48 inches in length. This is definitely not a small snake by any means! Even though they’re not known to be aggressive, they are venomous. As we mentioned above, they will also attack if they feel encroached upon. In Florida, you can find cottonmouths just about anywhere. In fact, they are even found on nearshore islands. As a snake, they are also classified as carnivores. They will eat a variety of animals, such as fish, frogs, small mammals, and even other snakes. They have even been known to eat dead animals.

7. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is a quite well-known southern snake. You can find this slithery rattlesnake in Texas and many other southern states, which includes Florida. This is a pretty big snake. They have big, thick bodies that sport their signature diamond-shaped pattern that runs along their sides and the back of their bodies. If you ever get too close to one, you’ll immediately be warned by its telltale rattle sound. In Florida, every county in the state houses these snakes. There is even a decent population of them on the islands near the shores. As we mentioned, these are pretty big snakes and they can grow anywhere from 33 to 72 inches in length. They are also one of the most venomous snakes that you can come across in the state of Florida. This is definitely one snake whose path you don’t want to cross.

8. Coral Snake

As far as dangerous snakes are concerned, this is another one that you should avoid if you’re living in the southern parts of Florida, as they will most likely not be hibernating. Coral snakes, also known as harlequin coral snakes, is a venomous snake that is known to bite when they feel cornered. However, one of the trickiest things about this snake is that it is often mistaken for its non-venomous “twin” the king snake. The best way to recognize the difference is to remember that a coral snake has a very thin body that is covered with red and black bands that are separated by thin yellow rings.

The following rhyme, “Red touching black, safe for Jack. Red touching yellow, kill a fellow,” is a popular anecdote for remembering which snake is which. Although this rhyme isn’t a safe bet around the world, in Florida it’s generally safe to assume that it is. Most estimates say that this snake can grow to a length of anywhere between 20 to 30 inches on average. You’ll find them throughout all the counties in Florida, as well as in the nearshore islands and the Florida Keys.

9. Southern Black Racer

The southern black racer is a snake that is known for its great speed. This fast and nonvenomous snake, however, is very capable of biting you if you come too close. This snake happens to love a wide variety of different habitats to call home. They can easily live in higher altitudes in the wild and they are also comfortable in agricultural locations. In terms of their diet plan, this snake is known to eat great deals of pests, other snakes, and different types of vertebrates.

It is easy to recognize this snake because it is usually either a full black or gray color with a white chin. However, it is important to know that when they are juveniles they do have maroon splotches on them. In the Everglades, there are times when their color is more grayish brown and sometimes they even have a bluish tint. The eye colors of this species likewise vary depending on where they are in the state. The southern black racer that lives more inland will have actually a more red iris, whereas the Everglades types might have an orange or yellow iris.

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