There are about 46 species of snakes found in Florida, out of which 6 species are such that are venomous whose bite can kill humans. Today we will talk about Florida snakes in detail in this article.

What are the 6 venomous species?

• Black Rat Snake (both western and eastern, Florida Keys): Is only poisonous to you!

• Cottonmouth (Western): Commonly called water moccasin, can have similar effects to a rattlesnake and is considered extremely dangerous.

• Copperhead (Eastern): Much less common than the cottonmouth, but much more deadly and large, capable of fatally squeezing a person.

• Water Moccasin (Both Western and Eastern): Commonly known as the eastern black snake and dusky water snake, as they are present on both coasts, but mostly found in the U.S. south and west.

• Rattlesnake (Both Western and Eastern): Known as "brown widow", while some may be harmless or see as less dangerous than other venomous snakes, the chances of an actual human being bitten by a rattlesnake are extremely rare.

Where can you find them?

All of Florida’s snakes are non-venomous (non-venomous means that the snake does not produce venom or contains toxins that can be deadly to people, pets, or other reptiles).

The most common snakes found in Florida are copperheads, rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and coral snakes. They are all classified as non-venomous, but some will have poisonous glands that are occasionally found in their skin.

Photo Courtesy of All4Pets Is this snake venomous? No, this snake is not venomous. The "venomous snake" label that Florida Snakes: The Most Commonly Encountered Venomous/Non-Venomous Species! has earned is a media label.

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy What is venom? Venom is a powerful neurotoxin produced by snakes. An additional venom is produced by different forms of their body.

How to avoid the most common snake bite

If you encounter a snake in the wild, pick up your feet and stay calm. The most common injuries from a snake bite are nerve pain, muscle cramps, and bleeding in the skin, often in the trunk and extremities.

Swallowing the venomous portion of the snakebite causes mild inflammation of the mouth, difficulty swallowing and vomiting. When the venom has been cleared, the venomous portion has almost no impact on the patient.

Dr. Jon E. Corey, MD is a board-certified emergency medicine physician who treats snake bites and works as an educator for the American Red Cross. He is a frequent writer and host of "Real Docs," a weekly medical podcast.

What do I do if I get bitten by a snake?

As we saw earlier, there are no poisonous snakes in Florida. Regardless of whether you get bitten by a venomous or non-venomous snake, always seek immediate medical attention. Do not attempt to remove the venom from the bite or move it.

This is very dangerous to the patient and potentially harmful to the environment, as the venomous snake could bite other people and move into a new area.

Snakebite treatment involves cooling of the bitten area with fresh, cool water, proper intravenous administration of antivenom, and supportive care. Some of the most common symptoms include difficulty breathing, fever, nausea, muscle weakness, dizziness, and excruciating pain.

What should I do if a venomous snakebite me? If you do get bitten by a venomous snake, seek immediate medical attention.