Dang...there's Rattlesnakes in Florida too? How prevalent in Orlando area?

[DavieJ89]

I have only seen a rattlesnake once in Orlando and that was in 1998

I have seen several black racer snakes, my father found a pygmy rattler in our driveway, my youngest brother stepped on a coral snake when he was 3 didnt know snakes could slither away that fast

including the pygmy, and coral snake i just mentioned i have only seen two other snakes in florida in my life, both were black racers which are harmless

[brinkofsunshine]

I've seen countless snakes in my lifetime. I think only one rattler, though. And that was near a lake in Kissimmee. Mostly I've seen black racers, and probably some corn snakes and other harmless ones. We did have a baby moccasin in our pool once, though.

I love snakes but when I see them in the wild I don't usually stop to investigate. I move pretty fast away

[AONE]

They indeed are around but mostly iin wooded areas I'd be more concerned with the coral snakes as they will drop you like a rock.

[hgebel]

Originally Posted by AONE

They indeed are around but mostly iin wooded areas I'd be more concerned with the coral snakes as they will drop you like a rock.

If I were to be concerned with snake bites, I would be much more concerned with rattlesnake than coral snakes. Rattlesnakes are much more aggressive than coral snakes. Coral snakes are extremely reluctant biters, and even when stepped on will usually retreat rather than bite unless they feel cornered. A rattlesnake will almost always bite when stepped on (although mature rattlesnakes with good venom control will often not inject venom when making a defensive bite). Coral snake anti-venom treatment is very effective and will almost always result in a full (slow, around 20 days) recovery. During the 1950s when anti-venom did not exist only two people died of coral snake bites during the entire decade. Only one person has been killed by a coral snake since anti-venom was invented in the 1960's. That was a person in Lee County who died in 2009 after being bitten in a remote area, where it took too long to get assistance. Note that the person who went on a bicycle to get the assistance had also been bitten, but survived. They panicked when they saw the snake and began to hit it with branches, it bit after the attacks began.

Rattlesnake venom, on the other hand, is a hemotoxin and will sometimes cause tissue necrosis that requires amputations (although not usually if treated promptly).

Neither coral snakes nor rattlesnakes will normally attack unless threatened.

Coral snake bites do have one important danger over rattlesnake bites (other than their lethality, which is negated if you get treatment). That is that because their fangs are so small and because their venom is a neurotoxin the bite is usually painless or at most like a pin prick. Consequently, people sometimes don't realize they've been bitten. When you are bitten by a rattlesnake you know it, the venom is a hemotoxin and consequently is usually very painful. The first symptom of coral snake venom, an inability to keep your eyes open, shows up an hour or two after the bite. Death can result if treatment is not received soon after the first symptoms show up. Since it takes at least an hour for the symptoms to begin, you should use that time getting to a hospital if you think there is any chance you MAY have been bitten. The fear of coral snakes works out well in that way, it causes people to not waste time deciding whether or not to get to a doctor.

-Harry

[pak1986]

In the Orlando area, we see pygmy rattlers, full sized rattlesnakes and cottonmouths. We killed a 6' rattlesnake and a 3' cottonmouth by our front door last year. Also found 2 young cottonmouth snakes inside our screened deck. We are in an established housing development and we see a few poisonous snakes every year. There are a lot of water, groves or fields spaced between developments, so the environment is still ripe for the snakes. We are called Lake County for a reason. When gardening or working in the yard, we have to be aware of where we poke around. Unfortunately, a pygmy bit a neighbors small dog. Fast, and very expensive, treatment saved the dog.

[TedTLPN]

Originally Posted by AONE

With any wild life exercise caution.... that does not mean search and destroy. respect and go another way. if they cause a threat to others then have them removed. Snakes do good things, even the deadly ones.

Best post in the thread

Originally Posted by Parrotrosie

LOL...I know...right? I try to remember the little rhyme about which is venomous...and then I think to myself....seriously.....if I see a snake that has red, yellow, and black.....in ANY order...just back AWAAAAYYYYY!!! Worry about the rhyme later, when you cannot get bitten...LOL! Same with the old addage, that a venomous snake can be identified by the shape of it's iris, or the shape of the belly scales....AS IF I am getting that close!!! I think not! Always better to be safe and cautious than, sorry in the instance of dealing with venomous critters....just leave them be and they will go on doing what they do best in nature (which is not bothering me! LOL)

Red and Black is a friend of Jack, Red and yellow can kill a fellow.... Though when in doubt, GTFO!!!
Also venomous snakes tend to have cat like 'slit' eyes (pupils).... DEFINITELY something you don't want to be close enough to figure out.

Originally Posted by burris snake kid

pansie, there scared of you, i have seen so many poisonous snakes and as soon as they see me they get away. I have gotten bitten by a water moccasan though, but thats because i put him in a container, he got out and i grabbed his tail. ALL SNAKES WILL TRY TO GET AWAY AND WILL ONLY BITE IF THEY FEEL THEIR IN A CORNER

I am VERY disappointed in those posters who killed without apparent justification. I hope reading this thread will educate them, and others reading, that killing snakes only hurts us. (Namely increasing the rat population) Also note that if snakes are on your property, they aren't there because there is nothing to eat.

Also someone said to make a lot of noise when out in the woods... That would work if snakes had ear drums. The key to avoiding snake bites by 'announcing your presence' is to walk with heavy feet (IE stomping the ground.) The snakes use their ability to feel vibrations in the earth to judge if something they want to mess with is coming their way.

[brinkofsunshine]

Originally Posted by TedTLPN

I am VERY disappointed in those posters who killed without apparent justification. I hope reading this thread will educate them, and others reading, that killing snakes only hurts us. (Namely increasing the rat population) Also note that if snakes are on your property, they aren't there because there is nothing to eat.

Also someone said to make a lot of noise when out in the woods... That would work if snakes had ear drums. The key to avoiding snake bites by 'announcing your presence' is to walk with heavy feet (IE stomping the ground.) The snakes use their ability to feel vibrations in the earth to judge if something they want to mess with is coming their way.

Although I really don't like killing animals, If there's a water moccasin/rattlesnake in my yard or neighborhood, you bet I want it dead (or taken away, which is less likely). What if it slips into a backyard where there are children playing? Or a pet is outside?

Garter snakes and black racers are fine natural pest control... moccasins and rattlers? Not so much.

[AONE]

I was showing a house the other day and a tiny one was by the back door. he had quite a little attitude. I just shooed him to the grass. He had many critters to kill before most would even see him.

Mostly I just see racers or rat snakes this was the first poisonous one.

[lelephantblonde]

Besides the ones listed, there are also the poisonous coral snake in FL, but there are many other non-poinsonous species too. It's easy to relocate any snake, using a trash can and broom. I've done it and I'm no Steve Irwin. No need to kill it! Or just leave it alone and it will go its own way. They don't hunt humans or domestic pets and would rather avoid a confrontation & bite. Reminds me of a recent Orlando news story about a neighborhood that wants to bury a den full of fox kits as they were afraid the foxes would carry their children away. What is wrong with people!