Hernando County Master Gardeners

Hernando County Cooperative Extension Service
Master Gardeners

Snakes

Summer is the most active time for snakes in Florida. They are found in wet and dry areas, in Spring Hill and Brooksville, as well as out in the woods. It is important to be able to recognize venomous snakes. Keep away from any snake if you are not sure. Even the bite of a non-venomous snake needs proper medical attention to avoid infection. With the exception of the Coral Snake, the venom of central Florida's poisonous snakes takes several hours to take full effect.

According to the Florida Museum of Natural History's Guide to Florida's Venomous Snakes, "If you find a snake and you do not know whether or not it is poisonous, the safest thing to do is leave it alone. Florida snakes are not aggressive and, unless they are cornered, most will flee when humans approach. Occasionally, you might encounter one that is reluctant to leave because it is basking in the sun to get warm. Among snakebite victims, an unacceptably high number are bitten on the hands and arms when they are handling the snake. Do not catch a snake and do not handle one unless you are sure it is not poisonous. In addition, for a short time after a snake is killed, its reflexes may continue to work. Those reflexes typically cause the body to writhe slowly for awhile, but they can cause a convulsive contraction and a bite, so you should not handle a freshly killed venomous snake."

Poisonous snakes found in central Florida are the Diamondback Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattlesnake (Ground Rattler), Cottonmouth Moccasin (Water Moccasin), and the Coral Snake.

Rattlesnakes give birth to 7 to 29 live young at a time, usually during late summer or early fall. The babies have fangs and venom at birth. Their fangs are toward the front of their mouth, and they can bite you on the leg, arm, foot or hand. Their rattle can only be heard a few feet away - if the rattle is wet, it makes no sound.

According to "Snakes of Florida" by Owen Godwin, Diamondback Rattlesnakes are deadly poisonous and are "found all over Florida in palmetto woods, dry sandy areas, piney woods and hammocks. They have been killed over eight feet nine inches long and are the most dangerous snakes in the United States."

Pygmy Rattlers, which reach an average maximum size of eighteen inches. They have the same venom as Diamondback Rattlesnakes. However, they have smaller fangs and a smaller quantity of venom. In "Snakes of Florida" Owen Godwin states that no human deaths have been reported from Pigmy Rattler bites. Pigmy Rattlers are very ill tempered. They are well-hidden under dead palm leaves. Use caution when gathering firewood.

Cottonmouth Moccasins are most often found near water, although their babies are sometimes found very far from water. They are born live, 5 to 18 at a time, and have fangs and venom at birth. They resemble Copperhead Snakes. Since Copperheads are only found along the Alabama-Georgia and Florida state lines and have never been found in Central Florida, so that is not a problem here. The Cottonmouth changes color as it ages, making identification difficult. The are coppery when young, becomming browner, and finally almost solid black. Their distinctive feature is the cottony look of the inside of its mouth. If you see this, the snake is warning you to stay away. If you try to get closer it will try to bite you. Connonmouth bites are frequently accompanied by tetanus and gangrene. According to "Florida's Venomous Snakes", published by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Commission, adults can exceed five feet in length. Their behavior is unpredictable and they may or may not coil before striking. Their favorite places are swamps, edges of lakes, tree-bordered marshes, and stream banks. Beware of snakes in low hanging tree branches over water.

While Rattlesnakes and Connonmouth Moccasins, which are all pit vipers, have fangs at the front of their mouths, Coral Snakes have short fangs in the upper portion of their mouths. They can not bite through leather, gloves, or thick clothing., and usually bites fingers or toes. It bites and chews while injecting its poison, unlike pit vipers which attack quickly.

The venom of the Coral Snake can cause death within 6 minutes, by paralysing the nerves which control breathing and heartbeat. To minimize the amount of toxin injected, remove the snake as quickly as possible! In many instances the snake is removed before a lethal dose of venom is injected.Get medical attention immediately!

Coral snakes never coil before striking. They are not usually aggressive; however, they can strike without warning. The Coral Snake has a black nose, unlike similar nonpoisonous snakes which have red noses. They are the only egg-laying poisonous snake in the U.S.

Become familiar with the snakes found in central Florida, use caution when gathering firewood or walking through the woods, know what to do and what not to do for a snake bite, and where to call in an emergency. In Hernando County call 911 or the emergency room of the nearest hospital.

Brooksville
Brooksville Regional Hospital
55 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Dial 911 for Emergency Service Spring Hill
Oak Hill Hospital
11375 Cortez Blvd. (S.R. 50)
(352) 596-6632

Pets are also susceptable to snake bites. Sudden lethargy, weakness, swelling, and/or limping can be signs of a snake bite. After hours, Animal Emergency of Hernando, 3496 Deltona Blvd. in Spring Hill, (352) 666-0904 provides excellent care if your regular Veterinarian is not available.

Links:

Florida Museum of Natural History's Guide to Florida's Venomous Snakes
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/fl-guide/venomsnk.htm

Removing Snakes from Dwellings

Snakebite Emergency First Aid Information
http://www.xmission.com/~gastown/herpmed/snbite.htm
Includes:

What to do if Bitten by a Venomouw Snake
What Not to Do if Bitten by a Venomous Snake
What to Tell Them at the Hospital
What Should My Snakebite Kit Contain?

If you are bitten by a snake...
courtesy of Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service
http://www.ces.msstate.edu/pubs/is641.htm

1.If the snake is still in the area, do not attempt to kill or catch it, unless it poses a danger to you or the victim. Try to remember what it looks like so you can identify the type of snake from pictures in the emergency room.

2.Remove all items that may restrict circulation in the affected extremity. Watches, bracelets, rings, gloves, or shoes may pose a problem as the bite area swells.

3.Immobilize the affected area as much as possible. Attempt to keep the bite at or slightly below the level of the head.

4.If swelling occurs rapidly, place a 1-inch-wide constricting band about 2 inches above the bite. This is not a tourniquet and should not fit so tightly you cannot easily slip a finger under it. Do not place a constricting band on a joint.

5.Attempt to keep the victim from moving rapidly about while transporting him/her to the nearest emergency medical facility as quickly as possible.

6.Do not:
  a. Give the victim anything to eat or drink, particularly alcohol;
  b. Place the affected area in ice;
  c. Make any cuts or apply suction to the area;
  d. Attempt to give antivenom; or
  e. Administer pain or anti-anxiety medications

Important Note: Exotic (non-native) poisonous snakes are occasionally found in Florida, generally escaped pets or their offspring.

Be cautious of Snakes after a Disaster.
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/disaster/490-317/490-317.html

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	Summer is the most active time for snakes in Florida. They are found in wet and dry areas, in Spring Hill and Brooksville, as well as out in the woods. It is important to be able to recognize venomous snakes. Keep away from any snake if you are not sure. Even the bite of a non-venomous snake needs proper medical attention to avoid infection. With the exception of the Coral Snake, the venom of central Florida's poisonous snakes takes several hours to take full effect.
According to the Florida Museum of Natural History's Guide to Florida's Venomous Snakes, "If you find a snake and you do not know whether or not it is poisonous, the safest thing to do is leave it alone. Florida snakes are not aggressive and, unless they are cornered, most will flee when humans approach. Occasionally, you might encounter one that is reluctant to leave because it is basking in the sun to get warm. Among snakebite victims, an unacceptably high number are bitten on the hands and arms when they are handling the snake. Do not catch a snake and do not handle one unless you are sure it is not poisonous. In addition, for a short time after a snake is killed, its reflexes may continue to work. Those reflexes typically cause the body to writhe slowly for awhile, but they can cause a convulsive contraction and a bite, so you should not handle a freshly killed venomous snake."
Poisonous snakes found in central Florida are the Diamondback Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattlesnake (Ground Rattler), Cottonmouth Moccasin (Water Moccasin), and the Coral Snake.
Rattlesnakes give birth to 7 to 29 live young at a time, usually during late summer or early fall. The babies have fangs and venom at birth. Their fangs are toward the front of their mouth, and they can bite you on the leg, arm, foot or hand. Their rattle can only be heard a few feet away - if the rattle is wet, it makes no sound.
According to "Snakes of Florida" by Owen Godwin, Diamondback Rattlesnakes are deadly poisonous and are "found all over Florida in palmetto woods, dry sandy areas, piney woods and hammocks. They have been killed over eight feet nine inches long and are the most dangerous snakes in the United States."
Pygmy Rattlers, which reach an average maximum size of eighteen inches. They have the same venom as Diamondback Rattlesnakes. However, they have smaller fangs and a smaller quantity of venom. In "Snakes of Florida" Owen Godwin states that no human deaths have been reported from Pigmy Rattler bites. Pigmy Rattlers are very ill tempered. They are well-hidden under dead palm leaves. Use caution when gathering firewood.
Cottonmouth Moccasins are most often found near water, although their babies are sometimes found very far from water. They are born live, 5 to 18 at a time, and have fangs and venom at birth. They resemble Copperhead Snakes. Since Copperheads are only found along the Alabama-Georgia and Florida state lines and have never been found in Central Florida, so that is not a problem here. The Cottonmouth changes color as it ages, making identification difficult. The are coppery when young, becomming browner, and finally almost solid black. Their distinctive feature is the cottony look of the inside of its mouth. If you see this, the snake is warning you to stay away. If you try to get closer it will try to bite you. Connonmouth bites are frequently accompanied by tetanus and gangrene. According to "Florida's Venomous Snakes", published by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Commission, adults can exceed five feet in length. Their behavior is unpredictable and they may or may not coil before striking. Their favorite places are swamps, edges of lakes, tree-bordered marshes, and stream banks. Beware of snakes in low hanging tree branches over water.
While Rattlesnakes and Connonmouth Moccasins, which are all pit vipers, have fangs at the front of their mouths, Coral Snakes have short fangs in the upper portion of their mouths. They can not bite through leather, gloves, or thick clothing., and usually bites fingers or toes. It bites and chews while injecting its poison, unlike pit vipers which attack quickly. The venom of the Coral Snake can cause death within 6 minutes, by paralysing the nerves which control breathing and heartbeat. To minimize the amount of toxin injected, remove the snake as quickly as possible! In many instances the snake is removed before a lethal dose of venom is injected.Get medical attention immediately!
Coral snakes never coil before striking. They are not usually aggressive; however, they can strike without warning. The Coral Snake has a black nose, unlike similar nonpoisonous snakes which have red noses. They are the only egg-laying poisonous snake in the U.S.
Become familiar with the snakes found in central Florida, use caution when gathering firewood or walking through the woods, know what to do and what not to do for a snake bite, and where to call in an emergency. In Hernando County call 911 or the emergency room of the nearest hospital.
Brooksville Brooksville Regional Hospital 55 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Dial 911 for Emergency Service	Spring Hill Oak Hill Hospital 11375 Cortez Blvd. (S.R. 50) (352) 596-6632
Pets are also susceptable to snake bites. Sudden lethargy, weakness, swelling, and/or limping can be signs of a snake bite. After hours, Animal Emergency of Hernando, 3496 Deltona Blvd. in Spring Hill, (352) 666-0904 provides excellent care if your regular Veterinarian is not available.
Links: Florida Museum of Natural History's Guide to Florida's Venomous Snakes http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/fl-guide/venomsnk.htm Removing Snakes from Dwellings Snakebite Emergency First Aid Information http://www.xmission.com/~gastown/herpmed/snbite.htm Includes: What to do if Bitten by a Venomouw Snake What Not to Do if Bitten by a Venomous Snake What to Tell Them at the Hospital What Should My Snakebite Kit Contain?
If you are bitten by a snake... courtesy of Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service http://www.ces.msstate.edu/pubs/is641.htm 1.If the snake is still in the area, do not attempt to kill or catch it, unless it poses a danger to you or the victim. Try to remember what it looks like so you can identify the type of snake from pictures in the emergency room. 2.Remove all items that may restrict circulation in the affected extremity. Watches, bracelets, rings, gloves, or shoes may pose a problem as the bite area swells. 3.Immobilize the affected area as much as possible. Attempt to keep the bite at or slightly below the level of the head. 4.If swelling occurs rapidly, place a 1-inch-wide constricting band about 2 inches above the bite. This is not a tourniquet and should not fit so tightly you cannot easily slip a finger under it. Do not place a constricting band on a joint. 5.Attempt to keep the victim from moving rapidly about while transporting him/her to the nearest emergency medical facility as quickly as possible. 6.Do not: a. Give the victim anything to eat or drink, particularly alcohol; b. Place the affected area in ice; c. Make any cuts or apply suction to the area; d. Attempt to give antivenom; or e. Administer pain or anti-anxiety medications
Important Note: Exotic (non-native) poisonous snakes are occasionally found in Florida, generally escaped pets or their offspring.
Be cautious of Snakes after a Disaster. http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/disaster/490-317/490-317.html