Should my cat and I be scared of this snake?

[La lamy]

My first time facing this type of snake here in The Villages. Do you know what it is? Is it venomous? I'm not sure how safe my cat and I are around that. Have you encountered snakes?

[La lamy]

My first time facing this type of snake here in The Villages. Do you know what it is? Is it venomous? I'm not sure how safe my cat and I are around that. Have you encountered snakes?

It's a long black snake, my picture didn't upload.

[RICH1]

Those snakes are harmless , unless you are a mouse! Good to see…!

[La lamy]

Those snakes are harmless , unless you are a mouse! Good to see…!

Glad to hear, what are they called?

[ThirdOfFive]

Glad to hear, what are they called?
Black Racer. And they live up to their name. Not venomous but they do bite pretty readily. I'd keep Kitty away from it.

[Michael G.]

Balck racer great snake for controlling rodents.
I fact the University of Miami raises them and releases them into the wild.

[La lamy]

black racer. And they live up to their name. Not venomous but they do bite pretty readily. I'd keep kitty away from it.

yikes!

[JohnN]

As noted, they like to eat rodents. Probably depends on how big your cat is, but I'd be careful. Those snakes are fast, fast, fast.

[me4vt]

A curious kitty might want to play, but they just normally slither on by!

[La lamy]

A curious kitty might want to play, but they just normally slither on by!

Are there venomous snakes in our midst in TV? If so, what are they called or look like?

[Dusty_Star]

Are there venomous snakes in our midst in TV? If so, what are they called or look like?

Good question! I don't know the answer but I do hope you get some good replies.

[daca55]

It's a long black snake, my picture didn't upload.
That looks like a black racer snake which is non venomous. They are actually good to have around because they eat bugs, mice etc. Your cat is safe but I would still keep cat away from them because they can bite.

[photo1902]

Are there venomous snakes in our midst in TV? If so, what are they called or look like?

Florida Snake ID Guide – Florida Museum of Natural History (https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/florida-snake-id/)

[GaryKoca]

water moccasins if you are near water like a pond. Perhaps a rattlesnake if you are out walking in the woods. Mostly black racers in the Villages, however. They generally try to slink away if they see someone. As indicated, they a good snakes and non-venomous.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Black snakes are to the Villages what "Garter snakes" or "garden snakes" are to the suburbs of New England. The main difference in behaviors: they're faster than garter snakes, they grow around twice as long, and their bite is a bit more painful because their teeth are longer. But they aren't fond of people, they are not aggressive. They enjoy sunning in the grass, eating vermin, and generally minding their own business.

I stepped too close to one that was napping in a patch of taller ground cover near the Paradise archery range last year, and it didn't bite me. It just slithered away very fast.

[JGibson]

How would your cat be in danger unless you let it outside which in TV I would highly advise not to do because there are too many predators out there?

[crash]

It's a long black snake, my picture didn't upload.

A black racer harmless.

[jessiem28@yahoo.com]

Oh, black snakes are very good. I was so glad to see it was a black snake!

[spinner1001]

Are there venomous snakes in our midst in TV? If so, what are they called or look like?

Central Florida has all four kinds of venomous snakes in the USA: rattlesnake, water moccasin (aka cottonmouth), copperhead, and coral snake. The most likely habitat for these snakes around TV is natural settings such as the woods, ponds, and marshy areas. If you are around these kinds of areas, there is a chance of coming across one. Hikers and golfers looking for their ball around a pond are the mostly likely people around TV to come across any of them. Assuming one’s house is not close to a pond or marshy area, I believe there is only a very remote chance that you will come across a venomous snake around a house in TV with a rattlesnake being the most likely among those four kinds.

You can recognize the four kinds of venomous snakes relatively easily. The rattlesnake, water moccasin, and copperhead have triangular heads. The coral snake can be recognized by its colors and color pattern. The tricky part with coral snakes is their coloring is similar to the non-venomous king snake. The way I remember the difference between these two snakes is that coral snakes have their red and yellow bands touching each other whereas the king snake does not. I remember the red and yellow combination as a traffic light.

Black racer snakes are relatively common around TV. The venomous snake closest in coloring to black racers is the water moccasin. Both are mostly black. You can distinguish these two snakes by their head and body dimensions. As noted, the water moccasin has a triangular head and proportionately wider body whereas the black racer has a smaller head and thinner body. Black racers will likely slither away fast from a human. Water moccasins will often stand their ground and have a bad disposition. When hiking around TV, I am more worried about a bad outcome from a water moccasin than an alligator.

[NoMo50]

Having a black racer around your house can be a good thing. While not warm and cuddly like a puppy, they are great for keeping the pest population under control. Be advised, however, that they can slither into your house if you have a habit of leaving a door open. We've had a couple of neighbors who have found them inside the house, which can lead to an elevated heart rate!

[sharonl7340]

Are there venomous snakes in our midst in TV? If so, what are they called or look like?
Yes, there are venomous snakes here. I saw a water moccasin on the Fenney pitch and putt last year. Remember that venomous snakes are vipers with triangular shaped heads. Round headed snakes like the Black Racer are non-venomous.

[Andyb]

My first time facing this type of snake here in The Villages. Do you know what it is? Is it venomous? I'm not sure how safe my cat and I are around that. Have you encountered snakes?
Harmless Black racer, good to have around.The snake is in mitre danger than the cat.

[bark4me]

It's a long black snake, my picture didn't upload.
No. It's called a black racer. Harmless... They're good to have around. They eat bugs, rodents and have been known to take on rattlesnakes and win!

[NotGolfer]

Don't forget the pygmy rattle-snakes. I HATE snakes! BTW....do not walk through tall grass and shrubbery. I see golfers all the time searching for lost balls in this. Snakes live and lurk in these places. IF one goes to the meeting for new Villagers you'll learn all sorts of information re: our community.

[JC and John]

My first time facing this type of snake here in The Villages. Do you know what it is? Is it venomous? I'm not sure how safe my cat and I are around that. Have you encountered snakes?
We see a black snake every so often around the outside of our lanai and birdcage. We have 2 cats who do go out to these screened areas and so far no issue. The issue is I am deathly afraid of snakes and it makes me nauseous just to look at them. So by the time I scream and run back in the house to get my husband and he goes out there to shoo it away it is gone. Crisis averted! I also have found a snake skin in the shrub beds and in planters a few times. We live across the street from a retention pond which seems a good distance away. Apparently not! LOL

[bark4me]

Are there venomous snakes in our midst in TV? If so, what are they called or look like?
No. It's called a black racer. Harmless... They're good to have around. They eat bugs, rodents and have been known to take on rattlesnakes and win!

[bark4me]

Are there venomous snakes in our midst in TV? If so, what are they called or look like?
Yes. We have Eastern Diamondback Rattle snakes, Coral snakes and Water Moccasins.

[Dawn H]

10 Snakes In Central Florida - AZ Animals (https://a-z-animals.com/blog/10-snakes-in-central-florida/)

[airstreamingypsy]

I have quite a few snakes living in my yard. Mostly Corn snakes and Garter snakes. They are very welcome here. Your cat is in more danger from Coyotes and Bobcats.

[Quent]

My first time facing this type of snake here in The Villages. Do you know what it is? Is it venomous? I'm not sure how safe my cat and I are around that. Have you encountered snakes?
This litte snake can and will hurt your cat as it did to our little dog. Look it up on the internet. If bitten there is a
Vacine or antidote.

[vintageogauge]

We have one occasionally but if the mockingbirds are nesting they do a great job chasing it away quickly. After that it stays away for quite some time.

[flash4353]

They used to creep me out until we had an issue with palm rats-which the snakes control. By the way, if you have a palm tree there is a better than even chance you have palm rats too.

[OhioBuckeye]

Black Indigo snake, non poisonous! They’re all over TV. They’re very fast & but won’t bite unless cornered or fell threatened!

[PugMom]

Don't forget the pygmy rattle-snakes. I HATE snakes! BTW....do not walk through tall grass and shrubbery. I see golfers all the time searching for lost balls in this. Snakes live and lurk in these places. IF one goes to the meeting for new Villagers you'll learn all sorts of information re: our community.

somebody here told me the snakes like to wrap themselves around the roots of bushes, blending in with it's surroundings looking for lizards

[collie1228]

Black racers are so fast that I doubt your cat could catch one, unless it's a really good stalker. The only problem I could see is if the snake was cornered, like in the corner of a courtyard villa wall, then the snake will probably stand its head up a foot high and bite hard. I had one try to chase me out of my own yard once. But even if it bit the cat, it's harmless.

[ThirdOfFive]

Are there venomous snakes in our midst in TV? If so, what are they called or look like?
Florida has six: Cottonmouth moccasin, Copperhead, Coral Snake and three kinds of rattlesnakes: Timber Rattler, Eastern Diamondback, and Pygmy Rattler. I've not seen any around TV but that doesn't mean they're not here. Worst (venomous-wise, anyway) are Coral Snakes. Fortunately they're brightly colored (alternating red, black and yellow bands) and easy to see.

There are several other snakes the resemble Coral Snakes: Scarlet Kingsnake, Corn Snake, some others. There is a rhyme to identify the difference: "Red touch black, friend of Jack. Red touch yellow, kills a fellow". So if red and yellow bands are touching each other, I'd give that guy a LOT of room because he can kill you. Personally though I doubt I'd ever want to get close enough to find out for sure.

[Polarlys]

Since we are not on the menu we have nothing to fear. Give them some space and be glad they are around.

[Barborv]

Someone had posted this awhile back.....
Red touching black-safe for Jack
Red touching yellow, kill a fellow.
or
if yellow separates black and red, leave it be or wind up dead.
or
red and black, yellow in between... run away, run away they are deadly and mean.
or
nose is black, it's bad for Jack.

and the last one is....

red on black, venom will lack,
red on yellow will kill a fellow.

Try remembering those when one of those are a foot away from you!!!

[TomSpasm]

Black Indigo snake, non poisonous! They’re all over TV. They’re very fast & but won’t bite unless cornered or fell threatened!

Indigo snakes are very large, and I've never seen one in 39 years full time in Florida. You would immediately know someone was talking about an Indigo because all they would talk about is how big it was.

[Rainger99]

This is a video of Florida snakes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-uJP3Czf5k

[Rsenholzi]

Yes there are some in Central Fl. Coral snakes , water moccasins or cottonmouths , Pygmy rattlesnakes are around . You don’t see them often but with all the building , they don’t know where to go . Coral snakes have been seen ( poem to help - red touch black , safe for Jack. Red touches yellow kills a fellow ) water moccasins are brown with a mixture of brown cross bands found in marshlands and wetlands . They contain enough venom to kill 5 people . Diamondback rattlesnakes is one of the biggest snakes ( 3-6 ft long) brown with diamond markings live in the woodlands , swamps and scrubland . Pygmy rattlesnake ( 12-24 in ) are gray with black blotches . Again, you find them swamps, near ponds and lakes . Bites are serious for children and animals.
These are the ones you have to worry about near here .

[midiwiz]

It's a long black snake, my picture didn't upload.

Black Racer, totally harmless but they think they are tough guys LOL... They will coil up.....all bark is all they are. and very fast. when you start seeing patterns on their backs..... then start the worrying.

[La lamy]

How would your cat be in danger unless you let it outside which in TV I would highly advise not to do because there are too many predators out there?

It's a tough call with my cat because she was living outside when I finally adopted her. She chose my house/bushes to live in for months while I saw her get skinnier and weaker. I finally realized she was homeless and decided to 'save' her from dying. So now that she has a home, she still craves being outside, so I let her out during the day with an ID collar. I prefer giving her some freedom than forcing her to stay inside unhappily. She always stays around the house, and so far so good. I see her being extremely watchful when she's outside, so I can only hope she's bush wise!

[La lamy]

Central Florida has all four kinds of venomous snakes in the USA: rattlesnake, water moccasin (aka cottonmouth), copperhead, and coral snake. The most likely habitat for these snakes around TV is natural settings such as the woods, ponds, and marshy areas. If you are around these kinds of areas, there is a chance of coming across one. Hikers and golfers looking for their ball around a pond are the mostly likely people around TV to come across any of them. Assuming one’s house is not close to a pond or marshy area, I believe there is only a very remote chance that you will come across a venomous snake around a house in TV with a rattlesnake being the most likely among those four kinds.

You can recognize the four kinds of venomous snakes relatively easily. The rattlesnake, water moccasin, and copperhead have triangular heads. The coral snake can be recognized by its colors and color pattern. The tricky part with coral snakes is their coloring is similar to the non-venomous king snake. The way I remember the difference between these two snakes is that coral snakes have their red and yellow bands touching each other whereas the king snake does not. I remember the red and yellow combination as a traffic light.

Black racer snakes are relatively common around TV. The venomous snake closest in coloring to black racers is the water moccasin. Both are mostly black. You can distinguish these two snakes by their head and body dimensions. As noted, the water moccasin has a triangular head and proportionately wider body whereas the black racer has a smaller head and thinner body. Black racers will likely slither away fast from a human. Water moccasins will often stand their ground and have a bad disposition. When hiking around TV, I am more worried about a bad outcome from a water moccasin than an alligator.

Very informative, thank you. I can't believe how unaware I've been while trimming the bush in my back yard that backs onto a pond. I guess I've been lucky not to get bit so far.

[Lea N]

It's a long black snake, my picture didn't upload.

They kill mice and they also kill rattle snakes. In my experience with black snakes (hanging around where we've lived) they aren't afraid of us. Have never experienced an aggressive one but they didn't run away either. On the off chance you were bitten by one you would want to get a tetanus shot.

[Lea N]

Are there venomous snakes in our midst in TV? If so, what are they called or look like?

I don't know all of the snakes in FL but we do have rattle snakes and pygmy rattlers. Also water moccasins and they are aggressive. Pygmy rattlers are aggressive and they will chase you or a pet.

We lived in SE FL and I had a plant right outside the front door on a little table. It started to rain so I told my husband I was going to move the plant to the yard where it could get rained on. He being the gentleman he is offered to do it for me. When he picked the plant up and was carrying it a pygmy rattler jumped out and went after my husband. We were both at the door and it was headed towards the door. We slammed the door shut. My husband went to the garage through the inside of the house and got on the riding mower, and destroyed the snake. At that time we had dogs and we weren't about to take a chance that snake would go after them.

[mhballard73@icloud]

Had one in my yard recently, believe me, they are more afraid of you then you are of them. I scared the poor thing terribly.

[Velvet]

I saw a black snake in the back last year, but it took off before I could really look. And one in the front, also took off real fast. Nevertheless, I bought a cordless blower powerful enough to blow the garage away - just in case one decided to come inside. I don’t have rats, but if I get any I’ll deal with them another way.

[La lamy]

They kill mice and they also kill rattle snakes. In my experience with black snakes (hanging around where we've lived) they aren't afraid of us. Have never experienced an aggressive one but they didn't run away either. On the off chance you were bitten by one you would want to get a tetanus shot.

That was my experience also with this one, I tried to shoo it away with a stick, and it wasn't budging. Big noise didn't bother it either. I'm glad it finally slithered away! And thanks for the heads up, my tetanus status is up to date.

[La lamy]

I don't know all of the snakes in FL but we do have rattle snakes and pygmy rattlers. Also water moccasins and they are aggressive. Pygmy rattlers are aggressive and they will chase you or a pet.

We lived in SE FL and I had a plant right outside the front door on a little table. It started to rain so I told my husband I was going to move the plant to the yard where it could get rained on. He being the gentleman he is offered to do it for me. When he picked the plant up and was carrying it a pygmy rattler jumped out and went after my husband. We were both at the door and it was headed towards the door. We slammed the door shut. My husband went to the garage through the inside of the house and got on the riding mower, and destroyed the snake. At that time we had dogs and we weren't about to take a chance that snake would go after them.
WHOA that was quite the event!

[Indydealmaker]

In Florida, an outdoor cat is a short term cat.

[jimjamuser]

It's a long black snake, my picture didn't upload.
That's a black snake and is a property owner's best friend, in that it normally kills and eats ALL the poisonous snakes around. And it eats LOTS of mice and insects. If your cat was foolish enough to mess with the snake (not likely) the snake, also like any turtle MIGHT (?) BITE the cat on the paw, but black snakes are non-poisonous. Most likely, the snake would RAPIDLY move away from the cat - quicker than the cat could move. State Farm and Black Snakes are "like a good neighbor".
..........If we were in Naples Fl., there could be Boa Constrictors which could kill a cat and eat it.
.........It might NOT be a good idea to let a CAT out at night around TV Land because there are possibilities of alligators in ANY of the lakes. And even a very LARGE snapping turtle could take a hunk out of a Cat

[JMintzer]

This litte snake can and will hurt your cat as it did to our little dog. Look it up on the internet. If bitten there is a
Vacine or antidote.

Why would you need a "vacine or antidote" for a NON-venomous snake?

[photo1902]

Why would you need a "vacine or antidote" for a NON-venomous snake?

Sometimes you can't make this stuff up!

[WisBoy]

Coral Snakes are also present. Had a couple of sightings a couple of years ago in our hood. They are VERY dangerous and have a mean venom. Have never heard of anyone or anything actually being bitten by one however. Like most snakes, they don't seek out trouble. They are very colorful so are easy to see.

[ThirdOfFive]

I saw a black snake in the back last year, but it took off before I could really look. And one in the front, also took off real fast. Nevertheless, I bought a cordless blower powerful enough to blow the garage away - just in case one decided to come inside. I don’t have rats, but if I get any I’ll deal with them another way.
They are quick. My first experience with one was when I was walking along an MMP. I heard a commotion in the brush next to me and a Black Racer came bounding (literally...they move FAST) out of the undergrowth. He saw me, slammed on the brakes, spun around and took off in the opposite direction. Must have been chasing something.

[jimjamuser]

That was my experience also with this one, I tried to shoo it away with a stick, and it wasn't budging. Big noise didn't bother it either. I'm glad it finally slithered away! And thanks for the heads up, my tetanus status is up to date.
Snakes are cold-blooded. At 40 degrees or less they don't like to move fast - sometimes staying coiled up - that is when people step on rattlesnakes the most. A black snake at 80 degrees would probably beat most runners in a 100-yard dash if they could be coerced into running straight.

[jimjamuser]

That was my experience also with this one, I tried to shoo it away with a stick, and it wasn't budging. Big noise didn't bother it either. I'm glad it finally slithered away! And thanks for the heads up, my tetanus status is up to date.
A tetanus shot is used to prevent problems from cuts on rusty steel and iron object. Also if a dog bites you. Has nothing to do with snakes. For Poisonous snakes (except the CORAL SNAKE which has a nerve agent poisoning) you need to make a cut at the bite and then SUCK it out. You spit it out, but it can't hurt you in the stomach because of stomach acids. For a CORRAL snake you need to get a person to medical attention quickly, they have an antidote. There is a snake from India (I think) called a 3 stepper that kills people quicker than the CORAL snake. But the Coral snake is Florida's most poisonous snake, worse than a rattler, water moccsin, or a copperhead.
..........Now, I suggest that I am NOT AN ENCYCLOPEDIA about snakes. So, for more information trust your Google Machine the MOST.

[NoMoSno]

A tetanus shot is used to prevent problems from cuts on rusty steel and iron object. Also if a dog bites you. Has nothing to do with snakes. For Poisonous snakes (except the CORAL SNAKE which has a nerve agent poisoning) you need to make a cut at the bite and then SUCK it out. You spit it out, but it can't hurt you in the stomach because of stomach acids. For a CORRAL snake you need to get a person to medical attention quickly, they have an antidote. There is a snake from India (I think) called a 3 stepper that kills people quicker than the CORAL snake. But the Coral snake is Florida's most poisonous snake, worse than a rattler, water moccsin, or a copperhead.
..........Now, I suggest that I am NOT AN ENCYCLOPEDIA about snakes. So, for more information trust your Google Machine the MOST.
The Coral is far from the most poisonous Florida snake.
You should try the google machine yourself.
The Most Venomous Snakes Of Florida - WorldAtlas (https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-most-venomous-snakes-of-florida.html)

Coral snake anti-venom hasn't been made since 2003
If coral snake bites you, don't count on antivenin (https://www.chron.com/news/health/article/If-coral-snake-bites-you-don-t-count-on-antivenin-1695712.php)

The cut and suck out the venom is not recommended according to the CDC
Prevent or Respond to Snake Bite|Natural Disasters and Severe Weather (https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/snakebite.html)

[JMintzer]

A tetanus shot is used to prevent problems from cuts on rusty steel and iron object. Also if a dog bites you. Has nothing to do with snakes. For Poisonous snakes (except the CORAL SNAKE which has a nerve agent poisoning) you need to make a cut at the bite and then SUCK it out. You spit it out, but it can't hurt you in the stomach because of stomach acids. For a CORRAL snake you need to get a person to medical attention quickly, they have an antidote. There is a snake from India (I think) called a 3 stepper that kills people quicker than the CORAL snake. But the Coral snake is Florida's most poisonous snake, worse than a rattler, water moccsin, or a copperhead.
..........Now, I suggest that I am NOT AN ENCYCLOPEDIA about snakes. So, for more information trust your Google Machine the MOST.

Great advice. You should take it...

"Can You Really Suck the Poison Out of a Snakebite?"

Can You Really Suck the Poison Out of a Snakebite? | Mental Floss (https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/90886/can-you-suck-poison-out-snakebite)

Spoiler alert: The answer is no... It's complete nonsense, promoted by the old cowboy movies... And it'll probably make things worse...

[Escape Artist]

Before I moved to Florida I had someone tell me,” In Florida, you’re never more than 10 ft. from a snake” :yuck:

[wawriwwawriw]

Snakes of Florida | Florida Backyard Snakes (http://www.floridabackyardsnakes.com/)

[mkjelenbaas]

My first time facing this type of snake here in The Villages. Do you know what it is? Is it venomous? I'm not sure how safe my cat and I are around that. Have you encountered snakes?
What does a cat think of the snake??

[lawgolfer]

Black racers are amazingly fast. One showed up in the dense bushes at the front of our house. Within a week every lizard disappeared followed by the snake. Just yesterday, I was thinking it is about time for it to return and have a feast.

[OhioBuckeye]

You could be right but I still think it’s a Black Indigo snake. How big are you talking about, in length or big around? So what do you say it is?

[jimjamuser]

Coral Snakes are also present. Had a couple of sightings a couple of years ago in our hood. They are VERY dangerous and have a mean venom. Have never heard of anyone or anything actually being bitten by one however. Like most snakes, they don't seek out trouble. They are very colorful so are easy to see.
There IS also an INTERESTING non-poisonous snake in Fl that keeps predators (like hawks and eagles) away by LOOKING like a CORAL snake. It has orange, black, and yellow stripes like a coral snake, but in a slightly different order than the coral. Also interesting, there IS a word used in biology for defending from something by "faking" a color or shape of something to be avoided. Some plants do it too. I have forgotten the EXACT WORD. Also interesting is that old-time Floridians have a "singsong" rhyme to distinguish between the coral snake and it's cousin - the look-alike non-poisonous snake. It goes something like..........wait for it........red and yellow together - KILL a feller. Something like that.

[jimjamuser]

As noted, they like to eat rodents. Probably depends on how big your cat is, but I'd be careful. Those snakes are fast, fast, fast.
The snakes here are NOT big enough to eat even a small adult cat, maybe a very little kitty. In Naples and The Everglades National Park there are Boa Constrictors that can OCCASIONALLY get 20ft long and weigh about 150 lbs.......they could get and eat a cat or even a German Shepard. Even a small child.
.....Here locally just about any lake, large or small could contain water mocassins. Locally, I have seen rattlesnake skins on the top of plants inside the area of a Village swimming pool. Rattlesnakes are common and coral snakes are less common. Both can be on golf courses, plants around pools, near any tree, and they come into homes sometimes (not common) The black snake will KILL and eat the poisonous snakes IF it is BIG enough.
.......Actually, the Villages ought to have a program to HATCH black snakes and inform ALL RESIDENTS not to kill them because "they are the GOOD guys of the snake world".
..........And also, it IS really alligators that you should be worried about (snakes, NOT so much). I would add that IF you observe any fool, STUPID ENOUGH TO FEED an alligator. You should kick them in the "southern region"!

[jimjamuser]

Balck racer great snake for controlling rodents.
I fact the University of Miami raises them and releases them into the wild.
Good information about the U. of Miami. TV Land should check out their program and emulate it !!!!!!

[JMintzer]

Good information about the U. of Miami. TV Land should check out their program and emulate it !!!!!!

Why? They're already all over the place...

[jimjamuser]

Florida Snake ID Guide – Florida Museum of Natural History (https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/florida-snake-id/)
Great post. I did NOT know there were THAT many varieties.

[jimjamuser]

water moccasins if you are near water like a pond. Perhaps a rattlesnake if you are out walking in the woods. Mostly black racers in the Villages, however. They generally try to slink away if they see someone. As indicated, they a good snakes and non-venomous.
Problems happen in encounters with snakes when a person (or animal) mistakenly steps on one. They have camouflage so it is EASY to NOT see them in grass or MULCH, which is placed liberally around plants in the Villages. The snake feels that something is ATTACKING them so they FIGHT or FLEE like any animal. If they choose to FIGHT, then they bite and the venomous ones also inject poison with their fangs. They are like VERY bigger versions of wasps, hornets, or bees.

[Bogie Shooter]

There IS also an INTERESTING non-poisonous snake in Fl that keeps predators (like hawks and eagles) away by LOOKING like a CORAL snake. It has orange, black, and yellow stripes like a coral snake, but in a slightly different order than the coral. Also interesting, there IS a word used in biology for defending from something by "faking" a color or shape of something to be avoided. Some plants do it too. I have forgotten the EXACT WORD. Also interesting is that old-time Floridians have a "singsong" rhyme to distinguish between the coral snake and it's cousin - the look-alike non-poisonous snake. It goes something like..........wait for it........red and yellow together - KILL a feller. Something like that.

The snakes here are NOT big enough to eat even a small adult cat, maybe a very little kitty. In Naples and The Everglades National Park there are Boa Constrictors that can OCCASIONALLY get 20ft long and weigh about 150 lbs.......they could get and eat a cat or even a German Shepard. Even a small child.
.....Here locally just about any lake, large or small could contain water mocassins. Locally, I have seen rattlesnake skins on the top of plants inside the area of a Village swimming pool. Rattlesnakes are common and coral snakes are less common. Both can be on golf courses, plants around pools, near any tree, and they come into homes sometimes (not common) The black snake will KILL and eat the poisonous snakes IF it is BIG enough.
.......Actually, the Villages ought to have a program to HATCH black snakes and inform ALL RESIDENTS not to kill them because "they are the GOOD guys of the snake world".
..........And also, it IS really alligators that you should be worried about (snakes, NOT so much). I would add that IF you observe any fool, STUPID ENOUGH TO FEED an alligator. You should kick them in the "southern region"!

Problems happen in encounters with snakes when a person (or animal) mistakenly steps on one. They have camouflage so it is EASY to NOT see them in grass or MULCH, which is placed liberally around plants in the Villages. The snake feels that something is ATTACKING them so they FIGHT or FLEE like any animal. If they choose to FIGHT, then they bite and the venomous ones also inject poison with their fangs. They are like VERY bigger versions of wasps, hornets, or bees.

Well, that’s a lot to process…………….

[jimjamuser]

Central Florida has all four kinds of venomous snakes in the USA: rattlesnake, water moccasin (aka cottonmouth), copperhead, and coral snake. The most likely habitat for these snakes around TV is natural settings such as the woods, ponds, and marshy areas. If you are around these kinds of areas, there is a chance of coming across one. Hikers and golfers looking for their ball around a pond are the mostly likely people around TV to come across any of them. Assuming one’s house is not close to a pond or marshy area, I believe there is only a very remote chance that you will come across a venomous snake around a house in TV with a rattlesnake being the most likely among those four kinds.

You can recognize the four kinds of venomous snakes relatively easily. The rattlesnake, water moccasin, and copperhead have triangular heads. The coral snake can be recognized by its colors and color pattern. The tricky part with coral snakes is their coloring is similar to the non-venomous king snake. The way I remember the difference between these two snakes is that coral snakes have their red and yellow bands touching each other whereas the king snake does not. I remember the red and yellow combination as a traffic light.

Black racer snakes are relatively common around TV. The venomous snake closest in coloring to black racers is the water moccasin. Both are mostly black. You can distinguish these two snakes by their head and body dimensions. As noted, the water moccasin has a triangular head and proportionately wider body whereas the black racer has a smaller head and thinner body. Black racers will likely slither away fast from a human. Water moccasins will often stand their ground and have a bad disposition. When hiking around TV, I am more worried about a bad outcome from a water moccasin than an alligator.
That IS a great post. I would like to add something slightly different from my experience. I was casting a spinning rod while standing in about 2.5 ft of relatively clear water of a lake. A water moccasin with a large triangular head swam toward me and got to about 2 ft away .........seemed to pause its swimming motion to look at my leg ( I had on shorts and old sneakers for wading). I remained motionless and it did not see anything edible (I imagined) and then continued swimming away. I then cast my spinning rod again. I NEVER felt threatened.

[jimjamuser]

Black racers are so fast that I doubt your cat could catch one, unless it's a really good stalker. The only problem I could see is if the snake was cornered, like in the corner of a courtyard villa wall, then the snake will probably stand its head up a foot high and bite hard. I had one try to chase me out of my own yard once. But even if it bit the cat, it's harmless.
Well........if a black snake bit a cat or dog, it would be about like a turtle biting them. There would be NO poison involved, but the bite could break the skin and cause a small amount of bleeding.

[jimjamuser]

Indigo snakes are very large, and I've never seen one in 39 years full time in Florida. You would immediately know someone was talking about an Indigo because all they would talk about is how big it was.
There was a 6-footer around about 8 years ago in Spanish Springs. Gone now, must have gotten hit by a car. There was a 3 or 4-footer here in our yard about 1 month ago.........very cute.

[jimjamuser]

Very informative, thank you. I can't believe how unaware I've been while trimming the bush in my back yard that backs onto a pond. I guess I've been lucky not to get bit so far.
I warm weather just make some noise or play a radio, and they will go away and hide. For any temperature like 40 degrees or lower (since they're cold-blooded) They coil up to keep the little bit of heat inside them and sort of power down their senses. That is when a human might step on them. They wake up and feel attacked.

[jimjamuser]

The Coral is far from the most poisonous Florida snake.
You should try the google machine yourself.
The Most Venomous Snakes Of Florida - WorldAtlas (https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-most-venomous-snakes-of-florida.html)

Coral snake anti-venom hasn't been made since 2003
If coral snake bites you, don't count on antivenin (https://www.chron.com/news/health/article/If-coral-snake-bites-you-don-t-count-on-antivenin-1695712.php)

The cut and suck out the venom is not recommended according to the CDC
Prevent or Respond to Snake Bite|Natural Disasters and Severe Weather (https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/snakebite.html)
I stand by my contention that the CORAL snake is the MOST deadly. The CORAL snake venom attacks the nervous system of a human or animal. A copperhead has a acid-like poison that can be sucked out (before going to a hospital). Nothing is gained by sucking out a CORAL snake bit so you have to get to the Hospital for an antidote QUICKER than with a copperhead or rattlesnake. I know a person that got bitten by a rattlesnake and did NOT even KNOW that he was bitten. He was hiking and noticed that he had a slight limp, then he figured it out and went to a hospital - where they told him that it was a rattlesnake bite. Between a rattlesnake and a copperhead, I would think that the size of the snake would be more determinative of how much poison whichever one had.
...........And even IF that article was correct......I am sure that the CORAL snake is a close 2nd.
......Also, if the CDC says NOT to suck out the rattlesnake or copperhead venom........then I stand corrected.

[dougjb]

Well...in my opinion...you should be terrified!

That type of black snake has the capacity to unhinge its jaws and spread its mouth very far open. There have been reports that such snakes have bitten off a leg of a person owning a cat. Evidently, the snake prefers the taste of human meat to that of cat meat. However, in the interest of accuracy, such snakes typically only bite off toes...so beware of wearing open toed shoes!

So...yeah...be very very frightened!!!

To overcome such fear, you could go to your local library and reviw a book on snakes and reptiles found in Florida!

[JMintzer]

Well, that’s a lot to process…………….

And it has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the OP's question...

Shocking, I know!

[JMintzer]

I stand by my contention that the CORAL snake is the MOST deadly. The CORAL snake venom attacks the nervous system of a human or animal. A copperhead has a acid-like poison that can be sucked out (before going to a hospital). Nothing is gained by sucking out a CORAL snake bit so you have to get to the Hospital for an antidote QUICKER than with a copperhead or rattlesnake. I know a person that got bitten by a rattlesnake and did NOT even KNOW that he was bitten. He was hiking and noticed that he had a slight limp, then he figured it out and went to a hospital - where they told him that it was a rattlesnake bite. Between a rattlesnake and a copperhead, I would think that the size of the snake would be more determinative of how much poison whichever one had.
...........And even IF that article was correct......I am sure that the CORAL snake is a close 2nd.
......Also, if the CDC says NOT to suck out the rattlesnake or copperhead venom........then I stand corrected.

Be prepared to stand...

Here, Let Me Google That For You! Teach People How to Google (https://googlethatforyou.com?q=should%20I%20suck%20the%20v enom%20out%20of%20a%20rattlesnake%20bite%3F)

[jimjamuser]

Well...in my opinion...you should be terrified!

That type of black snake has the capacity to unhinge its jaws and spread its mouth very far open. There have been reports that such snakes have bitten off a leg of a person owning a cat. Evidently, the snake prefers the taste of human meat to that of cat meat. However, in the interest of accuracy, such snakes typically only bite off toes...so beware of wearing open toed shoes!

So...yeah...be very very frightened!!!

To overcome such fear, you could go to your local library and reviw a book on snakes and reptiles found in Florida!
I hope that was"tongue in cheek".

[Dotneko]

PSA of the day. Please stop using 'venemous' and 'poisonous' interchangeably.
Unless you are regularly eating snakes, you wont know if they are poisonous.
Venemous means you die if it bites you.
Poisonous means you die if you eat it.
Thank you.

[jimjamuser]

PSA of the day. Please stop using 'venemous' and 'poisonous' interchangeably.
Unless you are regularly eating snakes, you wont know if they are poisonous.
Venemous means you die if it bites you.
Poisonous means you die if you eat it.
Thank you.
Throughout History, people have eaten snakes. I assume that they would taste like alligator which is often served in restaurants.

[DAVES]

Are there venomous snakes in our midst in TV? If so, what are they called or look like?

You can look it up on the internet. You can tell by the shape of the head. Snakes, considering they have no legs are shockingly fast. A cat will chase most anything that moves. Your cat cannot ID a poisonous snake. We are loaded with wildlife that would enjoy your pet cat for lunch.

[DAVES]

Throughout History, people have eaten snakes. I assume that they would taste like alligator which is often served in restaurants.

I like to believe beef comes in saran wrap trays. I have eaten alligator. It was on a dare. Nothing memorable about it. I assume like any other animal there are better cuts and less desirable cuts.

[DAVES]

Before I moved to Florida I had someone tell me,” In Florida, you’re never more than 10 ft. from a snake” :yuck:

Probably like so many tales it depends on where. Most animals have some kind of camouflage.
The orioles that some think are geckos with those annoying insurance ads have like chameleons
the ability to change color.

No snake expert but why do I not see any baby snakes the ones I've seen are at least a foot and a half long. Are they born that big from the eggs?