Splendid Serpents

Snakes have been portrayed as being sinister from the dawn of time. Whether you are a fan or not, snakes serve a necessary role in nature by keeping the ecosystem balanced. The Sunshine State has more than 40 native species of snakes, 30 of those can be found right here in Central Florida. The next time you decide to venture through one of the County's conservation parks or nature preserves, you may spot one of these six featured snakes.

Southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus) by Peter Paplanus

Black Racer or Blacksnake (Coluber constrictor) is a solid gray/black snake with a white chin and throat. They are commonly found in urban areas near fresh water, shrubs and landscape plants. They can grow up to 6 feet in length. Juveniles, under 2ft, have reddish brown blotches on gray scales. Young black races are commonly mistaken for pygmy rattlesnakes which are venomous. The difference is that black racer eyes are round and their scales are also round and smooth. Juvenile snakes are hatched from eggs. They dine on amphibians, birds and bird eggs, and small reptiles and mammals.  

Brown Water Snake, Nerodia taxispilota (Holbrook, 1842) by Patrick Randall

A Brown Watersnake (Nerodia taxispilota) can reach over 5 feet in length. Their bodies are brown with alternating checkered brown-black square blotches. Their scales have keels which are lengthwise edges. This snake has been misidentified as a Cottonmouth which is venomous; although, brown water snakes are slimmer and have circular pupils. This snake gives birth to live young and can be seen sunning on tree limbs in freshwater habitats. These snakes prefer to swallow fish, frogs, tadpoles and toads.

Garter Snake / Couleuvre rayée by Eric Bégin

A common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis) is usually small only reaching about 2 feet. Their color is gray/black to brown/olive-green with two rows of dark checkered blotches, often separated by three yellow stripes. Garter snake scales have keels as well and also give birth to live young. These snakes can be found in moist areas the wild near fresh water or in urban areas near canals, ditches or overgrown lots. Garter snakes diet includes amphibians, insects, invertebrates, mollusks and small rodents.

Red Rat Snake by MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife

A Red Cornsnake or Red Ratsnake (Pantherophis [formerly Elaphe] guttatus) is brilliantly colored with either orange, tan, brown, black or gray. Markings along the back and sides are irregular orange blotches with black outlines. These snakes can reach up to 6 feet in length. The head will be v-shaped and the scales have faint lengthwise keels. The belly will have a black and white checkerboard pattern. The young are hatched in eggs. These snakes get around and virtually any habitat may be appealing. They love to climb and can be discovered in the top heights of many structures. Red Ratsnakes eat birds and bird eggs, frogs, toads, lizards and small mammals.

Coral Snake by Ralph Arvesen

Many visitors are happy to learn that Florida is home to few venomous snakes. The coral snake is a venomous native that shares black, red, and yellow stripes like the nonvenomous king snake. It is important to note that the red and yellow bands connect on the coral snake, unlike king snake which has the red and black bands touching. These snakes are 2 to 3 feet in length and live in dry habitats usually burrowing under leaf litter, logs or stumps. Coral snakes lay eggs and are the only venomous variety in Florida to do so. If you see one, allow some distance between you, and it will probably flee in the other direction. Coral snakes are docile creatures and likely to be fearful of humans.

Eastern Indigo Snake by FWC Research

The Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) is federally protected as a threatened species. These bluish-black reptiles live in Florida uplands near water, and at times have been located in residential yards. The snakes have reddish chins and gray bellies. Their scales are glossy and smooth. They legs egg, are nonvenomous and non-aggressive. Indigos dine on small mammals, birds, frogs, toads, and their eggs. They've also been known to eat venomous and nonvenomous snakes. They can grow to more than eight feet in length and are much thicker than the Black Racer.

To learn more about all the species of snakes in central Florida, please visit our source: Central Florida's Snakes (ufl.edu)