Deadly Snake Captured On Streets Of Dunedin
A deadly snake captured on the streets of Dunedin this past week. If you walk along the causeway for exercise, you need to keep your eyes out for creatures that live and roam in the area. It’s a beautiful walk along the water, but there are also some dangers you need to watch out for.
Recently, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission had to remove a large eastern diamondback that was hanging out near the walkway.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest rattlesnake species in the country by length and weight. The average length of an adult is 3 to 6 feet long. However, some have been recorded to be more than 7 feet long, with the maximum length reaching 8 feet, which makes it a big snake!
How Deadly Is An Eastern Diamondback
The eastern diamondback rattlesnake has the reputation of being the most dangerous venomous snake in North America. If you get bit, the mortality rate is about 30% if treated right away. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is a major leader of fatal snakebites within its geographical range. Get immediate medical attention, as severe or even life-threatening symptoms may occur within minutes after the bite, or in other cases may begin after a couple of hours.
Where The Deadly Snake Was Captured
According to WFLA.com officials were called out to the Dunedin causeway where the deadly snake captured. The snake was spotted by someone who posted it on Facebook . An officer came out and used a snake stick to grab the snake and place him into a bucket.
Florida Fish and Wildlife are asking anyone who runs into an eastern diamondback rattlesnake should give it space, as these snakes should not be handled. To report a rattlesnake sighting or if you have questions about snake safety, contact your FWC Regional Office.
How To Spot A Deadly Rattlesnake in Florida
The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest rattlesnake species and is one of the heaviest known species of venomous snake. Males are typically larger than females, which is rare among snakes (females are usually larger than males). The color pattern consists of a brownish, brownish-yellow, brownish-gray or olive ground color with a series of 24–35 dark brown to black diamonds with slightly lighter centers. The head has a dark stripe that extends from behind the eye backwards and downwards to the lip; the back of the stripe touches the angle of the mouth. The rattle at the end of their tail is made of hard hollow segments which break off frequently and are completely replaced when the snake sheds.
The eastern diamondback rattlesnake frequently shelters by tunneling in gopher and tortoise burrows, The snake usually emerges in the early morning or afternoon to bask. So be careful if you’re an early morning or late evening walker or jogger.
The 5 Most Dangerous Animals In Florida
There are a lot of dangerous animals in Florida. But if you ever wondered what the most dangerous are? This list was put together by A-Z Animals. Between 1999 and 2019 only 247 people in Florida died as a result of an animal attack. Florida ranks as the third deadliest state in the United States for animal attacks. Texas is number one with 520 and California is number two with 299. Those findings come from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
So, what is the first animal that you think of when you think dangerous in Florida? You probably think of the Alligator, but that isn’t the number one overall dangerous animal in Florida. The Great White Shark is the most dangerous animal in Florida. While not on the land in Florida Great White Sharks swim the waters around the state of Florida. Back in 2020 Florida had 16 shark bites on record. Second was Hawaii with only five.
The Most Dangerous Animals Not In The Top 5
The dangerous animals in Florida that didn’t make the top five are some that you may have thought could’ve been higher. Firstly, number six on the list is the Black Widow Spider followed by the Florida Panther. The Florida Panther is the state animal. It was chosen in 1982 by a vote of students throughout the state. Following the Florida Panther on the list is the Wild Boar. You can find the Wild Boar in all 67 counties of Florida. Their estimated population is over half a million.
Next is the Timber Rattlesnake. It is also known as the canebreak rattlesnake and it is a species of pit viper. The Timber Rattlesnake has a Chevron pattern and a stripe running down its body. Finally, coming in number 10 on the list is the American Crocodile. They are found along the coast of Florida as north as the Hillsborough/Pasco County border on the west side of Florida.
Below, you can find the top five most dangerous animals in Florida.
Great White Shark
Yes, Great White Sharks are found in the waters around Florida. A almost 1,200 pound shark that was almost 13 feet in length was tracked back in March of this year.
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Bull Shark
#1 and #2 on the list are sharks. They are in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. They grow to about 11 feet and can live about 24 years.
Alligator
Alligators live in all 67 counties in Florida. You can find alligators in any body of water including lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, swamps and man-made canals.
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Eastern Dimondback Rattlesnake
They are found in pine flatwoods, longleaf pine and turkey oak hammocks, sand pine scrub areas, and coastal barrier islands. Yes it is venomous.
Cottonmouth Snake
It is venomous and can be found throughout Florida. It is called a cottonmouth because of the white color of the inside of its mouth.
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