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Average adult size is 12-24 inches, record is 31 inches. This is a small snake,
but very thick for its size. The top of the triangular shaped head is covered with 9 large
scales. The body color is light to dark gray. A longitudinal row of black or charcoal,
transverse blotches disrupts a reddish brown stripe running down the middle of the back.
Dark spots on the side line up with the blotches. The tail is slender and ends in a
miniature rattle. The belly is heavily mottled with black and white. The pupil of the eye
is vertical (catlike), and there is a deep facial pit between the nostril and the eye. Top
Juvenile coloration is like that of the adults, but the tip of the tail is
yellowish-green.
Range:
The Pygmy Rattlesnake is found throughout the state of Florida. The species
extends north to eastern North Carolina and west to eastern Texas and southern Missouri. Top
Habitat:
This snake is common in lowland pine flatwoods, prairies, around lakes and ponds,
and along the borders of many freshwater marshes and cypress swamps. Possibly the habitat
in which Pygmy Rattlesnakes are most frequently encountered, at least in south Florida, is
the banks of canals running through marshes and prairies. Top
Comments:
This small snake has a reputation for being very aggressive. Its bite, while
usually not life threatening, is extremely painful and can result in the loss of a digit.
Some cases can be fatal. It feeds primarily on frogs and mice. Top
The rattle is so small it is seldom heard. When it is heard, it sounds like an insect
buzzing.
Average adult size is 20-30 inches (51-76 cm), record is 47.5 inches (121 cm).
Body ringed with black, yellow, and red; narrow yellow rings separating the wider red and
black rings. The rings continue across the belly of the snake. From tip of snout to just
behind the eye the head is black. The tail is black and yellow, without any red rings. The
red rings usually contain black flecks or spots. The pupil is round. Top
The color pattern of the young is the same as the adults.
Range:
The Coral Snake occurs throughout the entire state including the northern keys.
The species extends north to southeastern North Carolina and west to eastern Texas and
northeastern Mexico. Top
Habitat:
This snake occupies a variety of habitats, from dry, well-drained flatwoods and
scrub areas to low, wet hammocks and the borders of swamps. They are quite secretive and
are usually found under debris and in the ground, but occasionally they are found in the
open, and have even been seen climbing the trunks of live oaks. Good numbers of them are
turned up when pine flatwoods are bulldozed, particularly in south Florida. Top
Comments:
Because they also are ringed with red, black, and yellow or white, two harmless
snakes in Florida, the Scarlet Kingsnake and the Scarlet Snake, often are confused with
the Coral Snake. Both of these mimics (look-a-likes) can be distinguished from the Coral
Snake by their red snouts and red on their tails. In addition, the red bands of the
Scarlet Kingsnake and the Scarlet Snake never touch the yellow bands (the red and yellow
are separated by the black). Also, on both the Coral Snake and the Scarlet Kingsnake the
rings go all the way around the body, but not on the Scarlet Snake which has a white
belly. Both the Scarlet Kingsnake and the Scarlet Snake are beneficial and should not be
harmed. Top
If you have difficulty separating the harmless mimics from the Coral Snake, the following
mnemonic rhymes will identify the Coral Snake for you: ‘If red touches yellow, it can
kill a fellow,’ and ‘If its nose is black, it’s bad for jack.’ Top
Because the Coral Snake is a relative of the cobras, people believe its bite nearly always
is fatal. While its bite is serious and should receive immediate medical attention,
statistics suggest that the bite of the Coral Snake is less threatening than the bite of a
Diamondback Rattlesnake. Top
Coral Snakes feed on lizards, other snakes, and frogs.
