There are thousands of snake species, most of which reside in specific regions worldwide. Snakes are considered a big problem in Florida by many. The population of snakes is growing, which is worrying because several species that live in the state are highly venomous. 

You can find several venomous snake species in Tampa, including the Florida Cottonmouth, Easters Copperhead, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, and Timber Rattlesnake. However, most of the species are non-venomous, like the Florida Brownsnake. 

It’s interesting to look into which snake species live in certain areas, so let’s discuss some of the snake species you can find in Tampa, Florida. I’ll explain their appearance, their dangers to people and animals, and their diets. 

1. Florida Cottonmouth

The Florida Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon conanti) is a semiaquatic snake. You can find them all over Tampa Bay, close to the water. They have a bad reputation because people think they’re highly aggressive animals, even though that’s nowhere near the truth. 

Physical Features

Florida Cottonmouths are pretty big creatures. They can grow up to 4 feet (122 cm) and have a thicker build. 

These Cottonmouths are dark brown (and greenish) with a lighter-colored, striped pattern. They darken as they age and can appear entirely black or dark brown as adults when looked at from afar. 

Dangers

Cottonmouths are venomous snakes. Anyone who’s bitten by one should go to the hospital immediately. A bite can quickly kill someone if they don’t seek urgent medical treatment. 

Like most snakes, Florida Cottonmouths don’t attack out of nowhere. They’re not aggressive and will only use biting as a last defense strategy when they feel scared. They typically only attack when they feel threatened or you hurt them. So as long as you watch your step, you should be alright. 

Diet

The diet of Florida Cottonmouths is very extensive. They feed on many types of animals, from insects to small mammals. They just hunt the first animal that crosses their path when hungry. 

Cottonmouths are also known to eat other Cottonmouth snakes, which is something not many snake species do. 

They kill their prey by biting them, wrapping themselves around their bodies, and restricting blood flow, which the prey slowly succumb to. 

2. Eastern Copperhead

Copperheads are venomous species. There are five subspecies, including the Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix). They won’t attack unless they feel threatened, so they generally aren’t something to worry about if you keep your distance and keep your pets away from them. 

Physical Features

Eastern Copperheads are light-colored. They are light green with prominent brown, green, and yellowish spots. They have dark or yellowish tail tips, a trait that is rare among various snake species, making it easy to identify Eastern Copperheads in nature. 

They can grow up to 3 feet (91 cm) as adults, so they’re considered medium-sized snakes. 

Dangers

The species is venomous but rarely kills pets and people. Their venom isn’t strong enough to kill healthy individuals, but some people with underlying health conditions are likely to get severely affected. 

If you get bitten by an Eastern Copperhead, you should seek medical treatment. Even though their venom might not be fatal, you can get quite sick from the venom. Symptoms include severe pain in the bite area and difficulty breathing.

Small animals are at serious risk when injected with Copperhead venom because of the size of their bodies. Cats and small dogs should be treated immediately for better chances of survival. 

Diet

Eastern Copperheads eat small mammals, reptiles, and insects. As an adult, they are more prone to hunt mammals to satisfy their hunger. 

The snakes will bite their prey and watch as they succumb to the venom, which can take a while for small mammals. This process is excruciating for the prey as the venom attacks organs and bones. 

3. Timber Rattlesnake

Deaths caused by rattlesnakes are rare because they rarely attack people unless they feel threatened. However, when they do bite, it can kill someone quickly. The same is true about the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), which typically has a mild temperament. 

Physical Features

Timber Rattlesnakes can grow up to 5 feet (152 cm) long. Adult snakes are pretty big compared to other species. Additionally, they are thick creatures.

These snakes are usually light green with vertical brown stripes. Their tails are black, and they typically have a copper-brown to yellowish line running all over their backs. 

Dangers

Rattlesnakes are very venomous. They can quickly kill animals and humans with a single bite if they don’t seek immediate medical treatment. However, they only attack when they don’t think they can do anything to escape the situation and protect themselves. 

Diet

Timber Rattlesnakes mostly eat small mammals and birds. Birds are challenging for predators because they can quickly fly away. However, Timber Rattlesnakes are very quick and can jump high to attack prey. They are also known to be good climbers, making it easier to reach birds’ nests when they’re hungry.

4. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) is not the first venomous snake on this list, but it is the most dangerous one. It’s not only the most venomous snake in Tampa but in the whole of North America. 

Like the Florida Cottonmouth, you can find the snake in the Tampa Bay area. 

Physical Features

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is a giant snake. It can grow up to 6 feet (183 cm) in length and is pretty thick. 

The snake is green, black, and brownish, with spots all over its body. This Rattlesnake is beautiful and blends in easily with its surroundings, making it even more dangerous. 

Dangers

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is highly venomous. A bite requires immediate treatment at the hospital. It’s essential to keep an eye on your pets while walking around in nature, but you should also watch your step to protect yourself. 

They aren’t an aggressive species but quickly feel threatened and cornered. 

Diet

The snake primarily feeds off small mammals and birds. They love eating rodents like mice and rats but generally eat anything they instinctively feel they can overpower. 

They will kill prey by biting them. Their venom is potent and spreads quickly, so small animals succumb to it quickly. 

5. Florida Brownsnake

Florida Brownsnakes (Storeria victa) have a very mellow character. They’re the only non-venomous species on this list. They’re safe to be around but should be left alone regardless. You should never approach these snakes closely because they feel threatened very quickly.

Physical Features

As the name implies, Florida Brownsnakes are brown, and their color ranges from medium to reddish or dark brown. 

Brownsnakes blend in easily with their environment. It’s hard to see them hiding between leaves, plants, or dirt. The species is also pretty small, the largest only being up to a foot (30 cm) long. 

Dangers

Florida Brownsnakes are not venomous. When they feel threatened, they usually try to hide away and escape the situation. They also release a scent to ward off predators, something several snake species do out of self-defense. 

They can bite someone when they see no other way out, but a bite from a Florida Brownsnake isn’t fatal. However, the puncture wound can still be painful. 

The snakes hang around suburban areas, so you’ll likely encounter them in Tampa, hiding under rocks, plants, leaves, or other things. 

Diet

This snake species is relatively small, which plays a part in the type of animals they consume. Insects and other tiny creatures are easy prey and satisfy their hunger. They focus on prey that can simply be swallowed whole and doesn’t take any effort to catch.