I’ve been getting tons of phone calls and texts from all over with questions about snakes. Ever since the two hurricanes created so much flooding, all of our wild brethren of the serpentine variety have been turning up in some unexpected places. And the first question is almost always, “What sort of snake is this, and is it poisonous?”
That always tickles me because there’s not much chance I can identify one over a phone call, and there’s no such thing as a poisonous snake. But there are a handful of venomous ones. However, with their homes underwater, they’re seeking refuge in carports, patios, tool sheds and anywhere they can find dry and comfortable lodging; temporary, of course.
Just keep an eye out, folks. If you encounter one, especially if you don’t know what kind of snake it is, Just give it a wide berth. Don’t try to kill it or catch it and don’t bother calling animal control to relocate it. They won’t.
If it happens to be in your home, a quick Google search of “nuisance wildlife trappers” will put you in contact with the right guys. But outside of your home, odds are if you let it, it’ll go on about its business and disappear all on its own. Now, I know there are a lot of you who will prefer to be a little more proactive; just don’t kill it. And don’t chase it with a stick or shovel. I recommend spraying it with the water hose, and it’ll make a quick exit.
There are a number of herpetology groups online that provide information on snake ID. Especially on our own Wildlife Commission’s website at WWW.MyFWC.com. For those interested in knowing just what species of snake you’re encountering, but if you aren’t able to identify it, assume it’s venomous and leave it alone. The odds of it being a venomous variety are low. We have 44 native species of snakes in Florida and only six of those possess venom.
If you do encounter a venomous snake and that encounter results in you being struck…. Well, that stinks! I have received a couple of doses of venom courtesy of a moccasin and a rattler. I don’t recommend it. First, don’t allow yourself to panic! Call 911 and get help immediately. Take a picture of the snake with your phone if possible so hospital workers can positively identify the venom they’ll be combating.
Do not try to cut open the wound and suck the venom out, like they used to do in the movies, and don’t apply a tourniquet above the site. Just get help on the way, and just breathe; Deep breaths, in through the mouth and out through the nose. It’ll help you stay calm while waiting on medical aid, and further oxygenating your blood can slow down your heart rate and the effects of venom.
Just be wary and know that when all of the excess water goes away…. So will the snakes.
If you have any questions or comments to share, I would love to hear them. Reach out to me at [email protected]. God Bless, and good hunting!
Toby Benoit is a best selling novelist and professional outdoors-man with thirty-five years of experience guiding and outfitting for big game all across America. Toby is a renowned archer and turkey hunting expert who manufactures custom game calls and is a regular judge at NWTF sanctioned turkey calling events across the Southeast.
