Venomous animals in Florida
The ones that need the most respect: cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, eastern coral snake. A bite from any of them is a medical emergency.
- 4 dangerous
- 4 medically significant
- 2 painful, rarely serious
Where they turn up in Florida
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Venomous snakes in Florida
CottonmouthDangerous1,109 records, 59 counties
Timber rattlesnakeDangerous39 records, 10 counties
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakeDangerous849 records, 55 counties
Eastern coral snakeDangerous761 records, 48 counties
CopperheadMedically significant28 records, 7 counties
Pygmy rattlesnakeMedically significant905 records, 52 counties
Venomous snakes in Florida: map, photos and look-alikes
Venomous spiders in Florida
Black widowMedically significant76 records, 26 counties
Red widowMedically significant27 records, 4 counties
Brown widowPainful, rarely serious208 records, 26 counties
Venomous spiders in Florida: map, photos and look-alikes
Scorpions in Florida
Scorpions in Florida: map, photos and look-alikes
When they are out
- Venomous snakes
- Venomous spiders
- Scorpions
Recorded, but not living here
- Rare records Western diamondback rattlesnake 3 open records
- Rare records Striped bark scorpion 2 open records
- Rare records Vietnamese centipede 1 open record
A rare record means someone found or reported the animal once or a few times, but there is no known population. Many are strays, pets or hitchhikers in cargo.
Harmless look-alikes in Florida
- Coral Snake vs King Snake Scarlet kingsnake is harmless
- Cottonmouth vs Water Snake Water snake is harmless
- Coral Snake vs Milk Snake Milk snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Northern Water Snake Northern water snake is harmless
- Cottonmouth vs Banded Water Snake Banded water snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Corn Snake Corn snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Rat Snake Rat snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Milk Snake Milk snake is harmless
- Cottonmouth vs Brown Water Snake Brown water snake is harmless
- Coral Snake vs Scarlet Snake Scarlet snake is harmless
- Pygmy Rattlesnake vs Hognose Snake Eastern hognose snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Hognose Snake Eastern hognose snake is harmless
Quick answers for Florida
- Lives here Rattlesnakes
- Lives here Copperheads
- Lives here Cottonmouths
- Lives here Coral snakes
- Not here Brown recluses
- Lives here Black widows
- Not here Tarantulas
Questions
How many venomous snakes live in Florida?
6 species: Cottonmouth, Timber rattlesnake, Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Eastern coral snake, Copperhead and Pygmy rattlesnake.
Are there brown recluse spiders in Florida?
No. There are no open records of the brown recluse from Florida, and the state is outside its range.
Are there scorpions in Florida?
Yes: Hentz striped scorpion.
When are venomous animals most active in Florida?
Most open records from Florida fall in March to May, August to October. Records follow when people are outdoors too, so treat this as a guide, not a rule.
What should I do after a bite or sting?
Call 911 for any venomous snakebite or a severe reaction. For spider bites and scorpion stings, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, free and open 24/7.