Famous for their high temperatures and varied ecosystems, Texas and Florida also serve as breeding grounds for a wide range of reptiles, including poisonous snakes.
The two states will be compared in this article, along with the kinds of poisonous snakes that can be found there, their habitats, and any possible threats to people.
You’ll know more about which state is home to more of these potentially hazardous animals by the end of this.
Texas’ Poisonous Snakes
The Lone Star State is home to 105 different species and subspecies of snakes. 15 of them are poisonous. These four types of potentially dangerous snakes are coral snakes, rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and copperheads.
Rattlesnakes
There are numerous varieties of rattlesnakes found in Texas, but they fall into two categories. S. catenatus, the Western massasauga, and S. c. edwardsii, the Desert massasauga, are two species in the Sistrurus genus.
Among the species belonging to the Crotalus genus are the Mottled Rock rattlesnake (C. lepidus), Banded Rock rattlesnake (C.k. klauberi), Blacktail rattlesnake (C. molossus), Mojave rattlesnake (C. scutulatus), Prairie rattlesnake (C. viridis viridis), and Western diamondback (C. atrox).
The Cottonmouth
This large snake can be olive green, olive brown, dark brown, or even nearly pure black in appearance. Its usual length is approximately 3.5 feet. Additionally, individuals have varied degrees of dark, broad crossbands.
The Eastern Cottonmouth is located in the eastern part of Texas, despite its name.
This poisonous species, known as a water moccasin in some quarters, is semi-aquatic, meaning it lives near slow-moving bodies of water including ponds, streams, swamps, and coastal marshes.
Copperheads
In Texas, there are three different species of copperheads, and each one has its own distinct range. The state’s eastern third is home to the Southern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix), while the central and western regions are covered by the Broadbanded copperhead (A.c. laticinctus).
The Trans-Pecos copperhead (A.c. pictigaster), on the other hand, is isolated in the southern portion of the Trans-Pecos (i.e., west of the Pecos River – an area dubbed “Far West Texas”).
The three subspecies differ slightly in appearance, but they are all roughly 1.5 to 2.5 feet long with crossbands spanning their pale or very light brown bodies that are tinted reddish-brown or chestnut.
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Florida’s Poisonous Snakes
Although estimates of the number of native snake species and subspecies in Florida vary from 44 to 46 (the total number is actually closer to 50 due to the development of anacondas in the Everglades and the problem of invasive pythons), experts generally agree that there are six poisonous species.
Coral Snake
The Eastern coral snake, or Micrurus fulvius, is the kind of coral snake that saunters across the entirety of Florida. It is often referred to as the Harlequin coral snake because to its striking hues of red, yellow, and black.
Remember the rhyme above and look for the black, blunt head to correctly identify which is the bearer of a potent neurotoxin. It’s easy to confuse this venomous species with the non-venomous scarlet snake, or especially the similarly-banded, non-venomous scarlet kingsnake.
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Rattlesnakes
The Sunshine State is home to three different species of venomous rattlesnakes that are often observed basking.
The heaviest pit viper on the continent, the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), is widespread throughout the state in arid areas like pine woodlands and even golf courses.
This little rattler, which is around 15 to 21 inches long, can be found in natural forested regions where it can wait in ambush, but it can also occasionally be seen in suburban neighborhoods.
Cottonmouths
In almost all freshwater habitats, the Florida cottonmouth (Agkistrodon conanti) can be found in every county. Although cottonmouths are known for their aggressive behavior, they usually choose to avoid risky circumstances and focus their poisonous strikes on fish.
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To Conclude
There are many different kinds of poisonous snakes in Texas and Florida, and each one has its own hazards and difficulties. Although there are more kinds of rattlesnakes in Texas, Florida is known for having a higher concentration of poisonous reptiles due to its notorious cottonmouths and possible coral snake presence.
When exploring the natural splendor of both states, it is important to be mindful of these creatures’ habitats and proceed with caution.
You may safely enjoy your outdoor excursions by being aware of the different kinds of venomous snakes that are available and taking the appropriate safety measures.
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