As Florida's human population continues to grow, remaining green spaces continue to be fragmented into even smaller areas of natural habitat. The outcome of this insidious process is the creation of small pockets of wildlife habitat in an otherwise urban or suburban landscape. As a result, encounters with snakes in residential areas are increasingly likely to occur. Despite the fear that many people experience when they encounter a snake, there is absolutely no cause for alarm when the encounter involves a harmless, non-venomous snake. Fortunately, most encounters between people and snakes in residential areas involve one of Florida's approximately 40 native species of non-venomous snakes. Despite the high diversity of harmless snakes in Florida, many of these species do not thrive in residential areas, and of those that do, some are very secretive and are rarely seen by people.

Interactions between people and venomous snakes in residential areas are much less common than those involving non-venomous species, and the risk of snakebite (venomous or non-venomous) is extremely small. There are only six species of venomous snakes in Florida, and only four of these species are found south of the Gainesville area. Attempting to harass, handle, or kill venomous snakes significantly increases your chances of being bitten, so it is best to adopt a leave-it-be attitude for all venomous snakes. This also can help to prevent the needless killing of harmless snakes. If you are not 100% sure of the identity of a snake just leave it be.

Snakes play important roles in Florida's ecosystems and help to control rodents (common disease-carrying residential pests) and even other snakes. Some non-venomous species, like the eastern indigo snake and kingsnakes, eat venomous snakes! Snakes also serve as important prey for birds and other animals. Sadly, habitat loss and fragmentation associated with development are serious threats for many snake species, as is wanton persecution by people who are ignorant of the important roles snakes play in Florida's ecology or who cannot confidently identify snakes. Several species of Florida's snakes are now considered threatened or endangered, and even commonly seen species that seem to thrive in urban areas are at risk of being killed by pets, lawnmowers, vehicles, or residents who are unfamiliar with Florida's snakes.

In residential areas where human-snake encounters are likely, we recommend a three-part proactive approach for coexisting safely with snakes:

1. Education—Learn to identify commonly encountered non-venomous and venomous snakes, and teach others—especially children! Learn to understand and respect snakes, and to be safe in areas frequented by snakes.

2. Prevention—Take steps to discourage snakes from entering homes and high-use areas of residential properties, warn children and pets to stay away from areas frequented by snakes, and adopt a leave-it-be attitude.

3. Emergency Plan—Establish an emergency action plan for the unlikely event that a resident, child, or pet is bitten by a venomous snake.

This fact sheet is the first in a series of four by Dr. Steve Johnson and Monica McGarrity that provide information to Florida's residents on how to identify snakes that are commonly encountered in residential settings, how to prevent negative encounters from occurring in the first place, and how to respond in the unlikely event that someone is bitten by a snake. Anyone living in Florida, especially people new to the state, will find these fact sheets useful. They are available online through UF/IFAS Extension Electronic Data Information Source.

1. Introduction

2. Identifying Commonly Encountered Snakes

3. Preventing Encounters

4. Emergency Planning