Frequently Asked Questions about Snakes

Rat Snake: Steve A. Johnson

What kind of snakes live in Florida?
How can I keep snakes out of my yard?
What should I do in the event of a snakebite?


Q: What kind of snakes live in Florida?

A: See the following publication and Web sites:

Dealing with Snakes in Florida's Residential Areas - Identifying Commonly Encountered Snakes
Recognizing Florida's Venomous Snakes
Venomous Snakes of Florida

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Q: How can I keep snakes out of my yard?

A: See the following UF/IFAS publications and Web sites:

Dealing With Snakes in Florida's Residential Areas - Introduction
Dealing with Snakes in Florida's Residential Areas - Preventing Encounters
Preventing Encounters between Children and Snakes

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Q: What should I do in the event of a snakebite?

DO:

1. Seek immediate medical treatment for any snakebite (Call 911)
2. Get the victim away from the snake
3. Keep the victim warm, as comfortable as possible, and offer reassurance
4. Keep a record of the victims symptoms and allergies
5. Remove bracelets, rings, and constrictive clothing
6. Keep the bite area lower than the victims heart
7. Wash the bite wound with soap and water

DO NOT:

1. Wait for symptoms to develop
2. Do not apply "traditional" remedies
3. Do not attempt to catch or kill the snake

For more details about what to do, please read the following UF/IFAS publication:

Dealing with Snakes in Florida's Residential Areas -- Emergency Planning

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