Discover the Black Snakes in Florida (2024)

FAQs

What kind of black snake is in Florida? ›

The southern black racer (Coluber constrictor), also known as the eastern racer, is the "black snake" most commonly found in urban and natural areas throughout all of Florida (Figure 1).

The only black snake that is poisonous in Florida is the cottonmouth (also called the water moccasin). The other poisonous (or venomous) snakes in Florida are the eastern copperhead, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, dusky pygmy rattlesnake, and the harlequin coral snake.

Southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus) – Southern black racers are found throughout mainland Florida and the Florida Keys. Brown-chinned Racer (Coluber constrictor helvigularis) – Brown-chinned Racers are only found in the panhandle near the Apalachicola River drainage.

They are diurnal (active during the day) even during hot weather, though they do move at night on occasion. >>

While the most common black snakes or Western rat snakes are not venomous, all black snakes can bite in self-defense or if stepped on. The black snake's bite may not be fatal, but it can still hurt a lot. Black snake bites are also full of bacteria that can cause infection.

Black snakes are not venomous nor aggressive, but if threatened or cornered they may bite as a last resort. Black snakes are also excellent swimmers. The most intimidating feature of black snakes is their size as some can reach eight feet in length.

Ammonia and vinegar are some of the most effective and safe natural snake repellents, as they keep snakes away without the use of harsh chemicals. Mix either in a small spray bottle and apply around the outside of your home, lawn, or garden.

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest and most dangerous of the snakes that are native to Florida. FWC officials say it also ranks high on the list of venomous snakes in the world.

Snakes enter a building because they're lured in by dark, damp, cool areas or in search of small animals, like rats and mice, for food. Snakes can be discouraged from entering a home in several ways. Keeping the vegetation around the house cut short can make the home less attractive to small animals and snakes.

All outdoor (even in your yard) encounters with nonvenomous snakes should be resolved by letting the animal go its own way, most likely to never be seen again. Venomous snakes are another matter.

What do you do if you see a black snake in your yard? ›

The best thing to do is to just let it be. Take a photo, draw a quick sketch, or just sit back and enjoy it from afar. The snake doesn't want to interact; it just wants to go on its way. If you're concerned about finding a venomous snake, learn which ones live in your area.

Research has shown that cinnamon oil, clove oil, and eugenol are effective snake repellents. Snakes will retreat when sprayed directly with these oils and will exit cargo or other confined spaces when these oils are introduced to the area.

Do snakes come out in the fall? Snake activity picks up as temperatures fall in late summer and early autumn before they go into hibernation, which can be as early as September or as late as December.

Myth #1: They keep poisonous snakes away

The black racer snake in North America does occasionally kill and eat other snakes. Black rat snakes, however, aren't known for snake killing. In fact, they sometimes will hibernate with other species of snakes, including copperheads and rattlesnakes.

Garlic & Onions: The sulfonic acid in garlic and onions (the same chemical that makes us cry when we chop onions) repels snakes. Mix these with rock salt and sprinkle them around your home and yard for effectiveness.

Mothballs are commonly thought to repel snakes, but they are not intended to be used this way and have little effect on snakes.

Spotting a snake

The only way people will know whether there is a snake in their house is by seeing it, Sollenberger said. Snakes don't really have an odor and don't really make sounds so it would be impossible to smell them or hear them.

Black snakes are known to bite, but only in extreme circ*mstances. Western rat snakes are large, powerful, non-venomous snakes that feed on a range of prey that they constrict and consume. However, keep watch on your cats or dogs while they're outside.

Answer: This is a common myth. Although non-venomous, black racers are very fast moving and so can cause panic if they are coming your way. However, it is not their normal habit to chase people deliberately. More likely you are both heading in the same direction, trying to get away.

Does Bleach Repel Snakes? The smell of bleach will repel snakes and if they drink it, it can kill them. However, you're more likely to cause harm to yourself, your pets, your children and your soil by using bleach than you are to deter snakes with it.

What kills snakes naturally? ›

Use Natural Predators

Common snake predators include cats, raccoons, pigs, turkeys, guinea hens, and foxes. Keeping any of these animals around your home will help deter snakes from coming near. You can also buy fox urine and sprinkle it around your property to help deter snakes, as well.

Clove and Cinnamon Oil

Several commercially available, natural snake repellent products contain these two potent essential oils. To use this, you'll simply mix clove and cinnamon essential oils in equal parts in a spray bottle.

Snake-repellent plants, such as marigolds, allium, lemongrass, mother-in-law's tongue, garlic, wormwood, pink agapanthus, snakeroots, basil and yellow alder will all keep snakes away naturally.

Fencing of aluminum flashing, hardware cloth (1/4"), or silt fencing 2–3 feet high buried 6 inches in the ground should deter most snakes from gaining access to certain areas of your yard (Figure 7).

They're active mostly during the day and are non-venomous. Besides, they're very agile and fast, and have great eyesight that allows them to be active at night as well. Southern Black Racers are about 4 feet long and have a black or brown body with yellow stripes on their back, head, and tail.

Some snakes that populate the Everglades include the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, cottonmouth, copperhead, coral snake, and water moccasin. The warm climate and abundance of food make the Everglades an ideal habitat for snakes. As a result, it is considered the most snake-infested area in Florida.

If you see Venomous snakes in Florida, it is important to leave it alone and call a professional. Although venomous snakes can be scary, they are protected by state and federal law, and it is illegal to kill them.

Opossums are known to consume at least 12 species of snakes, including venomous ones. They also consume ticks, fire ants, and have a very low occurrence of rabies – a cool animal to have around. Other mammal consumers of venomous snakes include raccoons, otters, fox, bobcats, coyotes, and black bears.

According to experts, unfortunately, it can happen. Not only can snakes come up through the toilet, but other critters like rats, squirrels, and tree frogs can too. However, this is not a very common occurrence, so you can breathe a sigh of relief.

Snakes are at their most active when it's cool out. They move around most in the early morning and around dusk. Snakes hunt in tall grass, weeds, and other sources of vegetation. Around your home, they'll seek out shady or dark places where they can rest and cool down.

Does one snake mean more? ›

When it's cooler, snakes are typically out moving. Just because you see one does not mean there are more. If you see 6+ babies or adults in the same location in a short amount of time, then you have a problem. Babies are not more dangerous than adults.

In reality, snakes are only interested in eating rodents, not humans, and are generally very afraid of people. Black rat snakes are some the most frequently seen snakes in Western North Carolina.

If you see a snake, please keep your distance, do not try to touch it or try to contain it. Snakes are very common particularly in summer and will regularly be seen around houses and yards. They are usually passing through and will be gone within a few hours.

Rhabdomyolysis: Black Snake venom is strongly myolytic and may lead to rhabdomyolysis. If not treated adequately, a bite victim may develop massive myoglobinuria which may subsequently result in oliguria or acute renal failure. If severe, the patient may require dialysis.

While it's not entirely conclusive that snakes will stay away from doggos and that doggos can keep them away, it's obvious that, due to a canine's insane sense of smell and hearing, they're the perfect snake hunters. With that in mind, it's easy to conclude that pups might be one of the best bets to keep snakes away.

They will often avoid the strong odor of Irish Spring soap, so you can try to use the soap to repel snakes.

Large birds, wild boars, mongooses, raccoons, foxes, coyotes and even other snakes are a few of the dangers snakes fall prey to. Many people find it surprising that the largest and the scariest snakes can be afraid of anything, but it is true.

Sarpagandha. Known by a variety of names, for example, Sarpagandha, Indian Snakeroot, and Insanity herb, this plant is known for its capacity to repel snakes.

When a storm moves into an area that brings heavy rain, these underground dens and burrowed tunnels will begin to fill with water, essentially flooding the snake's home. This will drive the snake to leave their den and seek dry, safe shelter.

Typically, snakes become less active when temperatures dip below 60 degrees. To survive, snakes often look for snug, safe burrows to keep warm.

What animal kills copperheads? ›

Owls and hawks are the copperhead's main predators. Opossums, raccoons and other snakes may also prey on copperheads.

Black snakes eat bird eggs, rodents, birds, and frogs.

They usually constrict their prey, and are capable of climbing vertical surfaces in order to get their meal.

Typically, they prefer places with many hiding spots and easy access to food sources. Therefore, they love wooded areas, places with many rocks, unattended-to compost bins, sawdust piles, woodpiles, leaf piles, cluttered areas, and structures that are abandoned or not highly frequented by people.

While it looks like it came straight from the dark side, black racers are non-venomous and harmless to humans as long as they are left alone. Black racers are found throughout Florida and will often inhabit brush-covered or cutover areas near water.

These include the black swampsnake, black ratsnake, ring-necked snake, red-bellied mudsnake, black pinesnake, eastern indigo snake and the southern black racer. The latter two—eastern indigo and black racer—are the species most often referred to as "black snakes".

Overview. One way to determine if a snake is venomous is to look at its underbelly. If there is a single row of scales leading to the anal plate, the snake is venomous.

Black racers have smooth scales in a matte black shade, while black rat snakes have slightly textured scales in a glossy black color in addition to a vague pattern on their back. Both of these snakes have white underbellies, but black rat snakes have significantly more whites when compared to black racers.

Rhabdomyolysis: Black Snake venom is strongly myolytic and may lead to rhabdomyolysis. If not treated adequately, a bite victim may develop massive myoglobinuria which may subsequently result in oliguria or acute renal failure. If severe, the patient may require dialysis.

The black racer snake in North America does occasionally kill and eat other snakes. Black rat snakes, however, aren't known for snake killing. In fact, they sometimes will hibernate with other species of snakes, including copperheads and rattlesnakes.

Where do black snakes live? ›

Black snakes live in various habitats, from rocky hillsides to low-lying plains, forests, and abandoned structures. Their favored prey is small rodents, birds, bird eggs, frogs, lizards, amphibians, chipmunks, voles, and other small mammals.

Eastern indigo snakes became federally protected as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1978, and they are also protected as threatened by Florida and Georgia. It is illegal to harass, harm, capture, keep, or kill an eastern indigo snake without specific state and/or federal permits.