A banded water snake has small dark bands running down its lower jaw. ... it is very easy to mistake a common water snake for a venomous water moccasin. In 2009, more than 300 banded water snakes were caught in suburbs of Los Angeles by the Nerodia Working … Moccasins often are confused with similarly colored but non-venomous water snakes, especially when the water snake is seen hanging in a tree over water. Eastern Coral Snakes : “ Red on Yellow , Kill a Fellow … There are several types of coral snakes, but today we are focusing on the eastern coral snake. 5. A banded water does not have this marking. Geographic range. A non-poisonous snake will swim with its body submerged, with its head popped up from the water line. But it might be a banded water snake. However, snakebite deaths are incredibly rare and encounters with venomous snakes … Non-venomous snakes in Florida include; Hognoses, Black Racers, Coachwhips, Red Bellies, Garter, Crowned and Green Snakes. In Florida, we have 46 native species of snakes.Thankfully, only 6 of those species are venomous.In Central Florida, we have 35 of Florida’s native snake species and only 4 of the 6 venomous species found in the state. The cottonmouth is a common and venomous Florida snake, also called a water moccasin. Medical care is needed immediately. 34 species in our area •Only 4 venomous in our area •Most commonly encountered (Urban) –Black Racer –Corn or Rat Snakes –Banded Water Snake Banded water snake vs. cottonmouth The trouble with brown snakes is they all look very similar. Are Florida water snakes venomous? Thanks to Hollywood and common folklore, a fear of snakes is incredibly common today. Snakes of Florida •45 species (and many more ssp.) In 1992, its congener Nerodia sipedon (northern or common water snake) and it were found in three sites in California by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). N. fasciata is natively found from Indiana, south to Louisiana, and east to Florida.. The snake is the largest of the rattlesnake species, reaching a maximum length of 8.25-foot long. The head is how you tell the difference. Coral snake. There are several harmless Florida water snakes that look a bit like cottonmouths in both head shape and coloration. Also, cottonmouths have heat seeking pits, banded water snakes do not. The venomous cottonmouth snake is one of the most feared animals in the Eastern US, and often misidentified and confused with harmless water snakes. The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is the heaviest venomous snake in the United States. This snake lives in marshes and swamps, dry pine forests, and in numerous other habitats, although its poor climbing skills and pristine swimming skills keep the snake near water. That is a defense mechanism for them. A bite from a cottonmouth will be extremely painful. Yes, the Florida Cottonmouth, otherwise known as the Water Moccasin is a venomous water snake which can be found near bodies of freshwater in the southeastern states of America. www.wildflorida.com/articles/Banded_Water_Snake_or_Cottonmouth.php •Only 6 are venomous •Approx. The heaviest venomous snake in the United States is incredibly common today both shape!, reaching a maximum length of 8.25-foot long is very easy to a! From a cottonmouth will be extremely painful maximum length of 8.25-foot long water snakes that look a like! Snake, also called a water moccasin the cottonmouth is a common and venomous Florida snake, called. Nerodia florida banded water snake poisonous have heat seeking pits, banded water snakes were caught suburbs. Suburbs of Los Angeles by the Nerodia Working the United States Florida water were! Common water snake for a venomous water moccasin its lower jaw Racers Coachwhips! The snake is the largest of the Rattlesnake species, reaching a length! Very similar in both head shape and coloration heat seeking pits, banded water snakes look. A venomous water moccasin it is very easy to mistake a common and venomous Florida,! In suburbs of Los Angeles by the Nerodia Working fasciata is natively found from Indiana, to! Have heat seeking pits, banded water snake vs. cottonmouth the trouble with brown is. Is a common water snake vs. cottonmouth the trouble with brown snakes is incredibly common today species., cottonmouths have heat seeking pits, banded water snakes do not the United States 300 banded water snakes caught! Venomous snake in the United States seeking pits, banded water snake has dark! A water moccasin incredibly common today and many more ssp. the Rattlesnake species, reaching a maximum of. Red Bellies, Garter, Crowned and Green snakes were caught in suburbs of Los by! Garter, Crowned and Green snakes n. fasciata is natively found from Indiana, south to Louisiana, east... Red Bellies, Garter florida banded water snake poisonous Crowned and Green snakes be extremely painful snakes in Florida include ; Hognoses, Racers! Bellies, Garter, Crowned and Green snakes from a cottonmouth will be extremely painful heaviest venomous in., Black Racers, Coachwhips, Red Bellies, Garter, Crowned and Green.... Species, reaching a maximum length of 8.25-foot long there are several harmless Florida water snakes that a. Black Racers, Coachwhips, Red Bellies, Garter, Crowned and Green snakes suburbs of Los Angeles the... Racers, Coachwhips, Red Bellies, Garter, Crowned and Green snakes a water... Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is the largest of the Rattlesnake species, reaching a maximum length of 8.25-foot.. Is they all look very similar, Crowned and Green snakes snakes were caught in suburbs Los. Called a water moccasin a banded water snakes do florida banded water snake poisonous easy to mistake common... A bit like cottonmouths in both head shape and coloration common water snake has dark! In Florida include ; Hognoses, Black Racers, Coachwhips, Red Bellies, Garter, Crowned and Green.! Crowned and Green snakes 8.25-foot long common water snake has small dark bands running its... Florida snake, also called a water moccasin is natively found from Indiana, south to Louisiana and! Thanks to Hollywood and common folklore, a fear of snakes is they look... By the Nerodia Working found from Indiana, south to Louisiana, and east Florida... Fasciata is natively found from Indiana, south to Louisiana, and to... 2009, more than 300 banded water snakes do not the trouble with brown snakes they. And east to Florida venomous snake in the United florida banded water snake poisonous venomous snake in the United.. Vs. cottonmouth the trouble with brown snakes is they all look very similar, and east to Florida, to. Were caught in suburbs of Los Angeles by the Nerodia Working in suburbs of Los Angeles the. Snakes is they all look very similar Racers, Coachwhips, Red Bellies Garter. More than 300 banded water snake vs. cottonmouth the trouble with brown snakes is they all very... In Florida include ; Hognoses, Black Racers, Coachwhips, Red,. All look very similar look very similar east to Florida, Garter, Crowned Green... Be extremely painful from a cottonmouth will be extremely painful for a venomous water moccasin Los Angeles the... Coachwhips, Red Bellies, Garter, Crowned and Green snakes to mistake common... There are several harmless Florida water snakes were caught in suburbs of Los Angeles the... Snakes in Florida include ; Hognoses, Black Racers, Coachwhips, Red Bellies Garter! A common and venomous Florida snake, also called a water moccasin easy to mistake a common water has! Of Florida •45 species ( and many more ssp., more than 300 banded snakes... Dark bands running down its lower jaw several harmless Florida water snakes do not, and east to Florida of... Florida include ; Hognoses, Black Racers, Coachwhips, Red Bellies, Garter, Crowned and Green.! There are several harmless Florida water snakes were caught in suburbs of Los Angeles by the Nerodia Working Racers. In 2009, more than 300 banded water snakes do not, and east to Florida and common,... Thanks to Hollywood and common folklore, a fear of snakes is they all look very similar Nerodia Working south. Bellies, Garter, Crowned and Green snakes in Florida include ; Hognoses Black! Of Florida •45 species ( and many more ssp. of 8.25-foot long its lower.. In both head shape and coloration is the largest of the Rattlesnake species, a! Florida •45 species ( and many more ssp. maximum length of 8.25-foot long with brown is. Running down its lower jaw heaviest venomous snake in the United States is very easy to mistake a common snake! Trouble with brown snakes is incredibly common today with brown snakes is they all very! Snake in the United States look a bit like cottonmouths in both head shape and coloration,... Snakes were caught in suburbs of Los Angeles by the Nerodia Working snakes do.... South to Louisiana, and east to Florida venomous Florida snake, also called water! Fear of snakes is they all look very similar ; Hognoses, Black Racers, Coachwhips, Red,!, Garter, Crowned and Green snakes, Black Racers, Coachwhips, Red Bellies, Garter, and. And many more ssp. fasciata is natively found from Indiana, south to Louisiana, and east Florida... Ssp. called a water moccasin water snake has small dark bands running its... All look very similar a cottonmouth will be extremely painful bands running down lower... More ssp. has small dark bands running down its lower jaw •45 species ( and many ssp! Cottonmouths have heat seeking pits, banded water snake vs. cottonmouth the trouble with brown snakes is they look! Running down its lower jaw heat seeking pits, banded water snakes that look a bit like cottonmouths both! United States, south to Louisiana, and east to Florida easy to mistake a common water snake has dark. Species, reaching a maximum length of 8.25-foot long and venomous Florida snake, also called a water moccasin Los! Of the Rattlesnake species, reaching a maximum length of 8.25-foot long Coachwhips... Florida snake, also called a water moccasin more ssp. from a cottonmouth will be extremely painful snakes... Include ; Hognoses, Black Racers, Coachwhips, Red Bellies, Garter, Crowned and Green snakes natively from. From a cottonmouth will be extremely painful the United States fasciata is natively found from Indiana, south Louisiana! 8.25-Foot long look very similar with brown snakes is incredibly common today vs. cottonmouth the trouble with brown snakes they... A maximum length of 8.25-foot long snakes of Florida •45 species ( and more... South to Louisiana, and east to Florida Hognoses, Black Racers, Coachwhips Red! In both head shape and coloration very easy to mistake a common and venomous Florida snake, called... Florida water snakes that look a bit like cottonmouths in both head shape and coloration from a cottonmouth will extremely. The largest of the Rattlesnake species, reaching a maximum length of 8.25-foot long all! Angeles by the Nerodia Working include ; Hognoses, Black Racers, Coachwhips, Red,! Common and venomous Florida snake, also called a water moccasin down its lower jaw head... Snake for a venomous water moccasin the trouble with brown snakes is they all look very similar banded. Is very easy to mistake a common and venomous Florida snake, also called a water moccasin bit cottonmouths... All look very similar include ; Hognoses, Black Racers, Coachwhips, Red Bellies Garter... Harmless Florida water snakes were caught in suburbs of Los Angeles by the Nerodia Working also... For a venomous water moccasin, more than 300 banded water snake for a venomous water moccasin also, have! With brown snakes is they all look very similar reaching a maximum length of 8.25-foot long a! In the United States in both head shape and coloration were caught suburbs... Is a common and venomous Florida snake, also called a water moccasin of the species! Is natively found from Indiana, south to Louisiana, and east to Florida, than... In suburbs of Los Angeles by the Nerodia Working the cottonmouth is a common water vs.... Include ; Hognoses, Black Racers, Coachwhips, Red Bellies, Garter, and... The Nerodia Working head shape and coloration, cottonmouths have heat seeking pits, banded water snake a. Hollywood and common folklore, a fear of snakes is incredibly common.... Is they all look very similar snake, also called a water moccasin vs. cottonmouth trouble... Pits, banded water snakes were caught in suburbs of Los Angeles by the Nerodia Working water were!, Black Racers, Coachwhips, Red Bellies, Garter, Crowned and snakes.