Florida snakes, together with the many turtles, lizards, alligators and other reptiles are part of a complex wildlife structure that plays a marvelous role in Florida's ecosystem maintenance. Florida snakes species are numerous: there are actually forty-four species living in incredibly varied habitats, from salt marshes to fresh water marshes and dry uplands or coastal mangrove swamps to residential areas.

Only six Florida snakes are venomous, and they happily coexist with their non-poisonous cousins, even venturing into towns and cities too. The best way to stay out of trouble with snakes is to care enough to learn about their morphology and therefore become able to distinguish between these Florida snakes. Avoidance is the best approach a human being can adopt in relation to snakes.

The Coral snake and pit vipers are by far the most dangerous of Florida snakes. They can be identified by quite a wide range of characteristics. Pit vipers include the Rattlesnake, the Cottonmouth and the Copperhead. They all have in common: vertical eye pupils, a v-shaped head and facial pit sensors: one between the eyes and nostrils and the others along each side of the head.

The poison of these Florida snakes is haemotoxic, which means that their venom attacks the red blood cells, destroying the wall of the blood vessel and causing uncontrolled hemorrhage. Coral snakes on the other hand use neurotoxic venom, with the toxins in the venom acting on the body nerves and inducing paralysis.

Most of the snake bites reported every year in the United States are caused by Florida snakes or by rattlesnakes to be more precise. As their venom spreads very quickly throughout the body, the victim will die within less than thirty minutes without immediate anti-venom.

A major exception in this class of Florida snakes is the copperhead, because its venom very rarely, if ever, requires an antidote. Their toxin is the least powerful and therefore they are regarded as the least dangerous of all the poisonous Florida snakes.

It is because of the danger they present that poisonous snakes are the first kind to attract attention, however the most common of Florida snakes is the Black Racer, which is a non-toxic species that relies on very sharp fangs to capture its prey.

Although the usual tendency of home owners is to remove snakes from their properties, specialists stress the fact that, without them, rodents would breed out of control giving us even more cause for alarm.

Therefore, unless you have special causes for being worried, like snakes breeding in great numbers in your garden or shed for instance, there is no valid reason to upset the lives of these usually shy, helpful animals.

Interested in the Florida snakes? To learn more about snakes visit Caring for Snakes our new web site.

Written by Owen Jones using tags: advice, animals, exotic, florida, outdoors, Pets, poison, reptiles, snakes, toxins, tropical, USA, venom

The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if you get cobra venom in your eyes, irrigate them with water at once in order to prevent permanent tissue damage.

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is also remarkable in this large family of snakes (elapidae) because it feeds almost entirely on other snakes with mice and small birds also falling prey to its poison.

The King Cobra is also a record-holder because of its size - it can reach almost twenty feet (585 cms) in length, which makes it the largest poisonous snake in the world. The most recent discovery of a new species of cobra was made in 2003 as part of an illegal shipment of exotic pets at London Zoo.

DNA studies revealed that this new species of snake is similar to the red spitting cobra but has different genes. It seems to originate from an area between Sudan and Egypt and it has been called the 'Nubian Spitting Cobra'.

Though highly dangerous when it senses a threat, a cobra will not attack if you leave it in peace, although the venomous spit can travel very accurately for two meters. If compared to the strike of a rattlesnake, the cobra is pretty slow in attack, and many bites prove blank, that is without envenomation.

According to a study conducted on Malaysian cobra snake victims only 55% of the bites involved venom release and the same statistics indicate a mortality rate of 10% for people bitten, since the toxins injected into the blood of the prey destroy the nerves (neurotoxin) , which induces respiratory failure half an hour after being bitten, giving you 30 minutes to get help.

The colouration of this snake is variable from light green-grey to black, whereas juveniles have alternate yellow and black bands.This snake is to be found all over south-eastern Asia.

Are you interested in the Cobras? To learn more about snakes visit Caring for Snakes our brand-new online resource.. This article, Spitting Cobras is available for free reprint.

categories: snakes,reptiles,unusual,pets,exotic,animals,florida,california,tropical,fauna,Thailand,Asia,outdoors,other

Written by Owen Jones using tags: animals, Asia, body-structure-of-spitting-cobra, california, exotic, fauna, florida, outdoors, Pets, reptiles, snakes, spitting-cobras-as-pets, Thailand, tropical, unusual

Florida boaters and anglers know why the Sunshine State is one of the top vacation locations in the United States. Florida has miles of incredible white beaches and aquamarine blue waters. Florida is a great affordable destination for you and your family. If you are a boater, do not miss out the water experience that is available to you.

When you boat in Fort. Lauderdale or boat Miami Beach, you'll find that the fishing is also fantastic in these areas. When you fish the deep sea waters of these beautiful Florida spots, you'll take the chance of catching barracuda, bonita and even shark.

The great beautiful underwater regions that surround the Florida Keys are great for snorkeling. Fishing the Key Largo waterways is a great way to enter a whole new world. The blue and clear waters are a great way to experience a dream you may had in the past.

The West Palm Beach area waterways and incredible marine life are areas not to miss. Additionally, the wetlands and parks help keep the natural beauty of these areas alive for everyone visiting. A short ways north, the St. Lucie River Inlet provides the Stuart Sandbar for boaters and there guests.

Central Florida has great freshwater boating to offer. You will find that it has great river fishing, but boating St. Johns River also boasts spectacular landscaping that will give you a whole new prospective to Florida.

When you fish and boat Ponce Inlet, the warm Gulf Stream waters will give you access to Blue Marlin and tuna. You could even plan your trip around the Greater Daytona Beach Striking Fish Tournament, which happens every May. Boating Jacksonville is a totally relaxing and fun experience; be sure to take some time to enjoy the beautiful history on dry land in nearby St. Augustine.

On the west coast side of the state, fishing Anna Maria Island and fishing Cape Coral are two great places for the anglers in the crew. For those who like to enjoy tropical-like scenery while floating the day away, you can boat Marco Island, boat Punta Gorda, or boat Long Boat Key.

Tampa Bay waters will be liked by sport fishing enthusiasts from everywhere. Fishing Pine Island or Inverness are great hidden locations to get on the water for fishing or relaxing. Boating St. Petersburg won't disappoint either and is nearby to the fishing of Port Richey.

And don't forget fishing Pensacola waters. You'll get the chance to reel in Wahoo, marlin, Sailfish, mahi-mahi, and many other gorgeous fish. Florida truly is a boaters and anglers delight.

Want to find out more about the St. Lucie Inlet, then visit BoatFlorida.com's site to find your local Florida boating site, such as Boat St. Johns River.

categories: florida boating, florida fishing, boating, fishing, florida, fish, boat, yacht, sailing, watersports

Written by John Kay using tags: boat, boating, Fish, fishing, florida, florida boating, florida fishing, sailing, watersports, yacht