More on Venomous Snakes

There are 45 varieties of snakes in Florida, but only six pose a danger to humans. One of those venomous varieties is the Pygmy Rattlesnake. Only one species of the Pygmy is thought to dwell in central Florida, the Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake. For the second time in as many months, another resident caught and killed what is believed to be a Pygmy Rattlesnake. This time it was on or very near the seawall.

The Pygmy is also known as a Ground Rattlesnake, the average adult size is 12-24 inches.This is a small snake, but very thick for its size. The top of the triangular shaped head is covered with 9 large scales. The body color is light to dark gray. The tail is slender and ends in a miniature rattle so small you will rarely hear it.

"If you find a snake and you do not know whether or not it is venomous, 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 venomous.

"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." (see source below for more information)

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/FL-GUIDE/Venomsnk.htm


A Post Script:
Last year, my better half bucketed a snake he found in the drywell of our boat, docked over in Pirates' Cove. It was curiously marked with a gray and black pattern down its back, It elevated and rattled its tail, although we never heard a sound. It was about 14 inches long, but very slender. We took the bucket (and snake) to the Weedon Island Preserve, and happened upon a summer school reptile class. Our snake-in-a-bucket was identified by the teacher as an infant Black Racer, one of our friendly and useful reptiles. A very intelligent and well-spoken 10 year old informed us that Mother Nature gives these friendly species the ability to mimic the more dangerous ones (i.e. rattling a tail) for survival reasons. We brought our snake home, and let it loose in our garden.

As far as I am concerned, be very respectful of anything that rattles

its tail at you.

Mike with baby Black Racer