Florida snakes

We had a snake on our welcome mat on the day we left for vacation and one waiting for us out back the day we returned! Since they happened to be the two Florida snakes that are often mistaken for each other and were both up for an 'up-close-and-personal' photo opportunity, I thought I'd snap some pics and share how you can tell the difference. For those of you who don't plan on ever visiting Florida, feel free to go about your business. For those who either live here or who cannot resist the charms of theme parks, sandy beaches, scorching temperatures and so much more, read on. It may be helpful since one is deadly, and one is harmless :).

This one is a Southern Black Racer. Although this particular example looks nothing like the Cottonmouth below, the juveniles are blotched in color and look much more similar. Note the eyes are on the sides of the head when viewed from above and the white head coloration is on the chin is not inside it's mouth. These snakes are very common and notoriously agile. As I was taking photos it actually climbed a tree in our yard. Although they are harmless, they will bite readily and have a very nervous disposition...

This one, however, was a Cottonmouth. The first picture was taken on our mat and the second after Mike had put it in a bucket. Again, this one is a juvenile and therefore doesn't look like the Black Racer above at all. As it ages though, the blotches fade and some are completely black in coloration as adults. The easiest way to tell them apart for sure is the fact that the Cottonmouth's head is significantly broader than it's neck and the fact that it's eyes are not visible when viewed from above. Juveniles have a distinctive sulphur colored tail and have almost all of their potentially fatal venom from birth. Thankfully these snakes are not typically aggressive and so can be moved without too much trouble - hence the bucket. Anyway, I use this online guide for identifying snakes in Florida. Hope you too find it helpful!