American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

Swamp, Marsh, River

Diet: mammals, fish, turtles, birds, snakes

SPECIES ALERT! Species of special concern

The largest freshwater reptile in North America, the alligator grows to 6-16’ long. According to local naturalists, the # of inches between the eyes & the tip of the nose is roughly equal to the gator’s length in feet. It is distinguished from the
crocodile by its broad rounded snout. In the dry season, gators dig deep ‘gator’ holes which provide water for local wildlife. A loud bellowing can be heard throughout the area during breeding season after which 20-80 eggs are laid.

Cuban Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei sagrei)

Oak Hammock, Swamp

Diet: insects

SPECIES ALERT! Exotic

Native to Cuba, these anoles arrived initially on refugee boats and then in tropical landscape plants. Now spread throughout south Florida, they are responsible for reduced numbers of native green anoles. When defending their territory these anoles can change color from brown to dark brown or black. Mature males will develop crests called ‘roaches’ along their backs to attract females. Both sexes have highly variable decorative patterns on their backs.

Green Anole (Anolis carolinenis)

Pine Flatwoods, Oak Hammock, Swamp

Diet: insects

Our native Florida anole, this lizard has a slender body, long tail, and sticky toe pads that enable it to climb and catch prey. Males and females both have a ‘dewlap’ (usually much larger in the males), a throat fan useful for threats,
courtship, and territorial defense. The green anole will turn brown (not to be confused with the Cuban brown anole) for camouflage, after a temperature change (under 70 degrees the anole will be brown), and after suffering a territorial
dispute.

Southeastern Five-Lined Skink (Eumeces inexpectatus)

Pine Flatwoods, Oak Hammock, Swamp

Diet: insects, spiders, worms, small lizards

One of the most common native Florida lizards, skinks spend their time on the ground searching for prey. Mistakenly called ‘blue tailed skinks’ that name only applies to the juveniles which mature into adults with brown bodies and brown tails. The juvenile’s tile is fragile and may break off during a dispute only to re-grow with time. This skink may be poisonous if eaten by pets.

Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)

Pine Flatwoods

Diet: leaves, grass, wild fruits

SPECIES ALERT! Species of Special Concern

Of the world’s 250 species of turtles, only about 40 species are tortoises, turtles that are adapted to live in arid habitats and eat plants, fruits, and berries. A great digger, the gopher tortoise uses its flattened front legs to dig burrows 10-35’ long in high, dry sandy soil. Over 100 different animals
(snakes, frogs, toads, invertebrates & others) share these burrows. Populations are declining due to habitat destruction, slow reproductive rate, and heavy predation on young.

Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius)

Pine Flatwoods, Oak Hammock

Diet: lizards, small snakes, invertebrates

SPECIES ALERT! Poisonous

Of the 3 snakes in our area with the same bright warning coloration, it is the coral snake that is the only poisonous species. Touching red and yellow bands of color and a distinctive black snout make this snake easy to identify. A shy and typically non-aggressive snake, the coral snake moves about under the surface in search of prey. Fangs fixed in place inject a powerful neurotoxin that attacks the nervous system of its prey, resulting in paralysis or suffocation.

Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis)

Pine Flatwoods, Oak Hammock, Swamp

Diet: toads, frogs, fish, insects

The garter snake is a distinctive turquoise orblue-green colored snake with light stripes & rows of black spots running down the length of its body. When threatened this snake will release a strong musk odor and will often try to
bite. Unlike many snakes, female garter snakes give birth to live young, often 15-25 at one time, who must immediately search out their first meal on their own.

Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon corais couperi)

Pine Flatwoods, Oak Hammock, Marsh

Diet: toads, frogs, rodents, other snakes

SPECIES ALERT! Threatened

The largest snake in North America, the indigo, named for the dark blue iridescence of its large scales, grows to over 6’ long. It will retreat into a gopher tortoise burrow during times of inactivity. One of the few truly diurnal (active during the day) species of snakes, indigos spend a great deal of time searching for prey (which they swallow alive) and for a mate. Threatened due to habitat destruction and over–collecting.

Florida Scarlet Snake (Cemophora coccinea)

Pine Flatwoods, Oak hammock

Diet: reptile eggs, rodents, lizards

One of the two mimics (along with the scarlet king snake) of the poisonous coral snake, its red snout makes this non-poisonous snake easy to identify. The scarlet snake has bands of color (note that the red bands touch the black bands) that do not encircle the body. This is a docile snake that likes to burrow in leaf piles and under logs. In decline due to habitat loss and over collecting.

Florida Water Snake (Nerodia fasciata pictiventris)

Swamp, Marsh, River

Diet: fish, frogs

A very common aquatic snake with a short, stout body, this water snake may be either reddish, black and white banded, or mostly black in color. When threatened, this snake will flatten its body causing the head to assume a triangular shape much like a poisonous pit viper. Upon capture the water snake will release musk and occasionally defecate. Sometimes confused with the poisonous cottonmouth, the water snake is unjustly killed.

Red Rat Snake (Elaphe guttata guttata)

Pine Flatwoods, Oak Hammock

Diet: mice, rats, bats, birds

A common and conspicuous snake with bright, highly visible reddish orange coloration, the red rat snake is one of our most beautiful snakes. This snake is commonly called the "corn snake," probably due to its belly markings that resemble kernels of Indian corn. When cornered, the red rat snake will coil like a rattler and bite.

Southern Black Racer Snake
(Coluber constrictor priapus)

Pine Flatwoods, Oak hammock

Diet: mice, rats, frogs, toad, lizards, birds

The most frequently seen snake in Florida due to its large size and daytime activity, the black racer is a sleek, graceful, fast moving snake. Adults, jet black with a bright white chin & reddish eyes, vary from the young which are blotched white with reddish brown, a coloration that is shed as they mature. Often mistaken for a constrictor, this snake swallows its food whole. Found in neighborhoods, it is a great natural predator & should be encouraged to stay.

Yellow Rat Snake (Elaphe obsolete quadrivittata)

Pine Flatwoods, Oak hammock, Swamp

Diet: rats, birds, squirrels

The best climber of all Florida snakes, the yellow rat snake often climbs trees in search of birds and eggs. It is often seen sticking its head out of holes in trees where it rests during the day. A long (to about 5") slender snake, this rat snake is a good swimmer and a powerful constrictor. Constrictors such as this snake will first kill their prey by constriction before swallowing their food head first.