Florida is home to 44 species of native snakes,1 many of which keep the state’s ecosystems balanced. However, there are several invasive snake species that have made Florida their new home, causing problems for native wildlife.
While the Burmese Python gets most of the attention, there are other large and dangerous snakes that have also spread throughout Florida.
1. Common Boa (Boa constrictor)
The Common Boa, also known as the Boa Constrictor, is native to Central and South America but has become an invasive species in Florida. These large, muscular snakes are non-venomous and kill their prey by constriction.
- Appearance: They are generally tan or cream-colored with dark brown or reddish markings, allowing them to blend into their natural environment.
- Size: Adult Common Boas can grow up to 13 feet long, though most in Florida average between 6 to 10 feet.
- Impact: In Florida, they pose a threat to native wildlife, particularly small mammals, birds, and reptiles. They are able to adapt to various habitats, including urban areas, and compete with native species for food and space.
- Behavior: They are semi-arboreal and nocturnal, often hiding during the day and actively hunting at night. Their ability to survive in various climates makes them a persistent problem in Florida’s ecosystems.
2. Northern African Python (Python sebae)
Also called the African Rock Python, this species is native to sub-Saharan Africa and is one of the largest snakes in the world. Florida considers it invasive. (ref)
- Appearance: Northern African Pythons have bold patterns of brown, olive, and black, making them resemble Burmese Pythons. However, they are generally more aggressive.
- Size: These pythons can reach lengths of up to 20 feet, making them one of the largest snakes in the world, capable of taking down large prey.
- Impact: In Florida, the Northern African Python is a major threat to local wildlife, including mammals, birds, and even alligators. Their large size allows them to consume a variety of prey, disrupting the natural food web.
- Behavior: They are both terrestrial and aquatic, thriving in marshes, wetlands, and forests. Their adaptability to Florida’s warm and wet climate makes them highly capable of survival and reproduction.
3. Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
The Green Anaconda, native to South America, is the largest and heaviest snake in the world. Though sightings in Florida are not as common as other invasive species, they are added to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Prohibited Nonnative Species List. (ref)
- Appearance: Green Anacondas are dark green with black oval spots along their bodies. Their eyes and nostrils are positioned on top of their heads, allowing them to stay submerged while stalking prey.
- Size: They can grow up to 30 feet long and weigh over 500 pounds, making them the heaviest snakes in the world.
- Impact: Green Anacondas can cause significant harm to Florida’s ecosystems if they become established. They are apex predators, feeding on a wide range of animals, from fish and birds to mammals, including large prey like deer and caimans.
- Behavior: Green Anacondas are semi-aquatic and prefer swamps, marshes, and slow-moving rivers. Their stealthy hunting style and sheer strength make them formidable predators. If established in Florida, they would likely thrive in the state’s wetland environments.
4. Yellow Anaconda (Eunectes notaeus)
The Yellow Anaconda, native to South America, particularly in Paraguay, Bolivia, and parts of Brazil, is another large semi-aquatic snake that has been found in Florida. Though not as commonly invasive as the Burmese Python, its presence is still a concern and included on the FWC Prohibited Nonnative Species List.
- Appearance: Yellow Anacondas are yellow to greenish-yellow in color with dark brown or black spots and blotches. Their coloration helps them blend into marshy, vegetative areas.
- Size: These snakes are smaller than the Green Anaconda, typically growing between 10 to 15 feet, but still large enough to threaten wildlife.
- Impact: The Yellow Anaconda’s presence in Florida is relatively recent, but it poses a threat to local wildlife due to its carnivorous diet, which includes birds, fish, amphibians, and small mammals. Their semi-aquatic nature allows them to thrive in Florida’s wetland environments.
- Behavior: Yellow Anacondas prefer slow-moving rivers, swamps, and marshes. They are constrictors, using their powerful coils to subdue prey. Because of their ability to live in aquatic environments, they could spread quickly if left unchecked.
5. Reticulated Python (Malayopython reticulatus)
Native to Southeast Asia, the Reticulated Python is known for being one of the longest snakes in the world. It has established a small but growing population in South Florida and is also featured on the FWC Prohibited Nonnative Species List.
- Appearance: Reticulated Pythons have a distinctive and intricate net-like pattern of yellow, brown, and black, which provides excellent camouflage in their natural habitats.
- Size: These pythons can grow up to 30 feet long, with some individuals reaching weights of over 300 pounds, making them one of the longest and heaviest snakes in the world.
- Impact: In Florida, Reticulated Pythons threaten local wildlife, including birds, mammals, and reptiles. Their ability to eat large prey, such as deer and even other predators, allows them to compete with and potentially displace native species like alligators.
- Behavior: Reticulated Pythons are both terrestrial and arboreal, but they often favor wetlands, rivers, and marshy areas in Florida. As highly prolific breeders, they can lay dozens of eggs in a single clutch, further exacerbating their invasive threat.
6. Central American Milk Snake (Lampropeltis triangulum)
The Central American Milk Snake is a non-venomous species native to parts of Central America and northern South America. Though much smaller than the other invasive species, it has been found in Everglades National Park, possibly due to escape or release from the pet trade. (ref)
- Appearance: Central American Milk Snakes are brightly colored with bands of red, black, and yellow or white, which mimic the appearance of venomous coral snakes. This coloration serves as a defense mechanism, deterring potential predators.
- Size: These snakes are much smaller than the other invasive species, typically reaching lengths of 2 to 4 feet.
- Impact: While not as large or immediately threatening as pythons or anacondas, Central American Milk Snakes can still disrupt local ecosystems. They feed on small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, competing with native species for food.
- Behavior: Central American Milk Snakes are primarily terrestrial and prefer forested areas, though they can adapt to various habitats. They are nocturnal hunters, feeding on small prey by constricting it. Their small size makes them less of a direct threat to large animals but still a concern for biodiversity.
7. Amethystine Python (Morelia amethistinus)
Also known as the scrub python, the Amethystine Python is one of the largest pythons in the world and is native to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. While not as commonly discussed as the Burmese Python, it is considered an exotic species in Florida and added to the FWC Prohibited Nonnative Species List.
- Appearance: The Amethystine Python is known for its beautiful, iridescent scales that reflect purple and blue hues, giving it the name “amethystine.” It typically has a light brown or yellowish body with intricate darker markings.
- Size: These pythons can grow up to 16 feet or more, though most are found to be between 10 and 13 feet. Some individuals have reached lengths of over 20 feet.
- Impact: Like other large invasive snakes, they would likely compete with native predators and disrupt the balance of the food chain. Their ability to thrive in various environments makes them a concern, particularly in Florida’s warm climate.
- Behavior: They are known for being semi-arboreal, meaning they can live both on the ground and in trees. This gives them the ability to hunt a wide range of prey.
8. Brown Tree Snake (Boiga irregularis)
A highly invasive species originally native to parts of Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, the Brown Tree Snake is most infamous for devastating the native bird populations on the island of Guam. This snake has also been detected in Florida and has been on the top of the FWC Prohibited Nonnative Species List.
- Appearance: The Brown Tree Snake is slender and long, with a reddish-brown to yellowish-tan body and dark, irregular crossbands.
- Size: It typically reaches lengths of 3 to 6 feet but can grow as long as 10 feet.
- Impact: It poses a serious threat to Florida’s wildlife, particularly bird species. As an arboreal snake, it has the ability to access bird nests, feeding on eggs and hatchlings.
- Behavior: The snake is nocturnal and highly adaptable, thriving in a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and urban areas. It is also an excellent climber, which allows it to access prey in both trees and man-made structures.
These snakes compete with native animals for food and space, putting many local species at risk.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.