Page 6 - PGA Community News - January '23

Page 6, PGA C.A.N.! January 2023 January 2023
Northern Notes

Living With Snakes can take a more relaxed attitude toward them and appreciate venomous snake in the woods or crossing the road poses no
them as an integral part of Florida’s wildlife. Northern is threat and should be left alone. Also, large snakes travel in
By Katie Roundtree, thrilled that greenways and preserves within our area can large areas, so one you see in your yard today may be far
Director of Finance and support a broad diversity of wildlife, including snakes. away tomorrow. When the temperature is cooler or cold the
Administration, Northern Only six of Florida’s 44 snake species are venomous, snakes are very slow to move and mostly harmless.
Palm Beach County the eastern coral snake, the southern copperhead, the The frequent sighting of snakes near dwellings or
Improvement District cottonmouth, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, the outbuildings may indicate the presence of rodents.
Living in Florida, you timber rattlesnake, and the dusky pygmy rattlesnake. Out Removing brush, lumber, or other debris accumulations
have no doubt seen snakes of the six, just four of them live south of Gainesville. Most will discourage rodents and snakes. Homeowners should
in your travels. A fear of Florida snakes are harmless and play a key role by keeping also police rodent food sources like chronically spilled bird
snakes, or ophidiophobia, rodent populations under control. Even the venomous seed under feeders or pet food scraps regularly.
is common in many people. species are not particularly dangerous unless stepped on If you are bitten by a venomous snake, call 9-1-1
Interactions between people or otherwise provoked. immediately. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue maintains the largest
and venomous snakes in Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are solitary animals and only antivenom bank for public use in the United States
residential areas are much less common than those involving that are effective ambush predators. Since these snakes are and provides antivenom to hospitals in the tri-county area,
nonvenomous species. The risk of snakebite (venomous cold-blooded, they bask in the sun to regulate their body but also deploys antivenom via emergent shipping to out-
or nonvenomous) is minimal. Snakes defend themselves temperatures. This species uses gopher tortoise burrows, of-area hospitals. If you have a snake, Africanized honeybee
primarily by fleeing but may bite if captured or harmed. armadillo holes, stump holes and root channels to avoid or large or small animal emergency or nuisance, 9-1-1 will
However, biting is not a sign that they are dangerous; it is inclement weather. These shelters keep them warm when dispatch the Venom Response Team.
the only way most snakes have to defend themselves. air temperatures become too cold for surface activity. Attempting to harass, handle, or kill snakes significantly
Depending on your point of view, Florida is blessed or While foraging, rattlesnakes use vegetation for cover, increases your chances of being bitten. It is best to adopt
cursed with a rich diversity of snakes. Forty-four species of relying on camouflage to conceal them. They are ambush a “leave it be” attitude for all snakes. This attitude can
snakes are found in every conceivable habitat, from coastal predators, meaning they sit and wait in a coiled position also help to prevent the needless killing of harmless snake
mangroves and saltmarshes to freshwater wetlands and dry for prey to cross their path. They use their thermal pits to species. If you are not 100 percent sure of the identity of a
uplands. Many species thrive in residential areas. help them locate warm-blooded prey. These snakes mostly snake, “leave it be.”
Most snakes you encounter are likely to be nonvenomous. eat mammals such as mice, rabbits, rats, and squirrels and Information obtained from Florida’s Fish and Wildlife
By recognizing snakes and understanding their habits, you occasionally eat ground-dwelling birds. Conservation Commission at: http://myfwc.com/
When camouflage fails, and they feel threatened, the conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/snakes/.
snake will begin to puff itself up to look larger and more NPDES tip: Please pick up after your pet. When pet
intimidating. Eventually, it may rattle its tail to scare off waste is washed into lakes or canals the waste decays, using
the threat. Rattlesnakes, like many animals, would prefer up oxygen and sometimes releasing ammonia. Low oxygen
to leave a dangerous situation silently. When given the levels and ammonia combined with warm temperatures can
opportunity, rattlesnakes will flee from human encounters. kill fish. Pet waste also contains nutrients that encourage
If you see a rattlesnake in the wild, it is best to give it space weed and algae growth. Overly fertile water becomes cloudy
or let it slither away. and green – unattractive for boating and fishing. Perhaps
What should you do when you come upon a snake? most importantly, pet waste carries diseases which make
Just stand back and observe it. Snakes don’t purposefully water unsafe.
position themselves to frighten people. They’d much rather www.stormwaterandme.org. https://floridadep.gov/water/
avoid encounters and will usually flee. stormwater
There is no good reason to kill a snake except in the
unlikely situation of a venomous snake posing immediate
danger to people or pets. Snakes usually bite people only
if assaulted; it’s their only means of self-defense. Even a

Dennis Charles Ferry

Cell Direct:
609-230-8942 5540 PGA Blvd., Suite 108 • Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418

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