Which state has more venomous snakes, Florida or Arizona?

Among the complex selection of Earth’s biodiversity, snakes are among the most fascinating creatures ever to stumble onto the surface of the planet we call home. These creatures first appeared around 100 million years ago and are thought to have evolved from either burrowing or aquatic lizards. Snakes have a wide variety of subspecies, each evolving and adapting to different habitats, from dense rainforests to barren deserts, each with their own survival skills. When it comes to poisonous snakes in the US, the states of Arizona and Florida are full of them. While Arizona beats Florida in this regard, both states display a wide variety of venomous and non-venomous snakes. Arizona is known for its desert environment. With the hot climate and rocky terrain, venomous snakes find it an ideal habitat for hunting and breeding, which stabilizes their population over the years. Florida provides a very diverse habitat for snakes. Marshes and wetlands provide excellent habitat for water snakes; this results in a much more diversified snake profile in this state. So Florida has more snakes than Arizona? However, Arizona is home to more venomous snakes than Florida.

Arizona

There are 40 different species of snakes in Arizona, 21 of which are venomous and 13 of which are plagues. As a mostly dry and hot state, water snakes don’t usually live in Arizona, but its location makes it the perfect environment for snakes to hide in the sand and catch their prey by surprise. Some of the non-venomous snakes found in Arizona include the Arizona milk snake, shiny snake, desert king snake, black pit snake, and many more. Some of the interesting ones are mentioned below.

Arizona coral snake

The first of the many venomous snakes covered in this article is the Arizona coral snake. This snake can be identified by its colors, which include red stripes next to yellow stripes. This snake is nocturnal and feeds on lizards, small snakes and occasionally rodents. It’s also fairly docile, meaning encounters are rare and not too dangerous. However, caution is advised when encountering this snake as it is still venomous and can pose a threat to your health and safety.

Mexican vine snake

The Mexican vine snake is 3 to 6 feet long and very slender. These snakes are masters of camouflage and can easily hide in bushes or foliage, so be very careful when reaching into trees or vines. While its venom isn’t lethal, being bitten by this snake isn’t exactly what you’d call a fun time. Its poison causes unbearable itching; the bite won’t be painful, but the itching will be maddening. However, if bitten by this snake, see a doctor to properly treat the itch and monitor your body’s reaction to it.

Lyre snake

The harp snake prefers rocky habitats such as ravines and mountains. This snake can be identified by their sun-colored, dark brown spots running down their slithering bodies, as well as the “V” mark present on their heads. Although these snakes are venomous, their venom is not fatal, but it can cause itching, swelling, pain, and other symptoms if medical treatment is not administered.

Folk snakes

Finally, Rattlesnakes are very common in Arizona with about 13 different species: Sidesnake, Arizona Black Rattlesnake, Greater Basin Snake, Hopi, Mojave Snake, Tiger Snake, Sidesnake, Northern Black, Arizona Black, Hopi Rattlesnake, Mojave Snake, Tiger Rattlesnake , ridge, northern sable, western bleak, rattlesnake. Rattlesnake, Two-spotted Snake, and Grand Canyon Snake. These snakes vary in color but are usually a mixture of brown and black. These snakes are recognized by their distinctive rattle and sting on the tip of their bodies. These snakes prey on rodents, lizards, and various species of nesting birds, but have been known to attack humans. In 2021, 79 bites were reported in the state of Arizona. Although rattlesnake venom is rarely fatal when treated, they are extremely painful.

Florida

There are over 50 different species of snakes in Florida, 6 of which are venomous. Florida is known for its variety of habitats, such as grasslands, forests, marshes, and lakes. This is ideal for snakes as the varied landscape offers different habitats for different snakes. Some of the most common non-venomous snakes in Florida include the black pine snake, black racing snake, corn snake, and blue snake. , the kingsnake, and the Florida rough green snake. The toxins are listed below.

Diamondback Rattlesnake

First on the list of Florida venomous snakes is the Diamondback Rattlesnake, characterized by a gray/brown diamond pattern running down their bodies. This snake is considered the most dangerous snake in the Americas, given that its venom is among the most powerful, and its venom gland can hold more venom than most snakes, with up to 1,000 mg of venom. A bite from this slithering creature will leave you with a sharp pain that spreads throughout your body while killing cellular tissue, stopping blood clotting, and causing cardiac arrest. Fortunately, this snake is not very aggressive towards people. However, it poses a serious threat when encountered.

Wooden rattlesnake

The Timber Rattlesnake can be distinguished from the Diamondback by its color patterns. Dark black horizontal stripes rather than diamond patterns run across their bodies. This snake also stores large amounts of venom in its venom gland and has very long fangs to trigger it. The venom produced by this snake can also kill humans, but bites from this snake are rare.

Twilight pygmy rattler

The Dusky Pygmy Rattler is much smaller than the Woodsnake and is characterized by dark brown spots running along the top and sides. Although the venom yield of this snake is only 18 mg, its venom is designed to stop blood clotting. This would be a problem if you bleed. However, the real threat here is the internal bleeding that this poison can cause. However, no deaths have been reported from Dusky Pygmy Rattler bites, placing this snake on the less dangerous side of this list.

Eastern coral snake

The Eastern Coral Snake is in the same family as the Arizona Coral Snake, so they look similar, with red stripes next to yellow stripes running down their bodies. The poison of this snake is extremely dangerous. it is a neurotoxin that attacks the nervous system and stops the lungs and heart from working. However, this snake is quite docile and almost never attacks people. even when they do, they rarely use their poison.

Copper snake

The copperhead snake is characterized by its rusty red head, hence the name Copperhead. These snakes are stealthy predators and usually avoid contact with humans. Although this snake is still venomous, it is the least venomous snake on this list, meaning its bite is very unlikely to cause serious health problems.

Cottonmouth Snake

Finally, the Cottonmouth snake is one of America’s most famous venomous snakes. Also known as the Water Moccasin, a name derived from its preference for living near water, its venom is toxic enough to kill a human. The fast-acting and dangerous venom kills the surrounding tissue around the bite, causing swelling and in the worst cases may even require amputation. When threatened, Cottonmouth will open its mouth, flash its fangs, and reveal its white gums. This snake is one that you should definitely avoid.

Arizona vs Florida

Both Arizona and Florida are home to many deadly animals, including venomous snakes. Arizona’s climate and geography provide a unique desert environment that makes it an ideal habitat for venomous snakes. The state’s warm climate and rocky terrain make it easy for such snakes to hide, hunt and reproduce, resulting in a stable population of these reptiles and making this state a prime candidate for keeping venomous snakes. Florida, on the other hand, is swampy and swampy, making it a more suitable habitat for water snakes and other species; this makes Florida ideal for a wide variety of snake species. So Florida has more snakes than Arizona, but Arizona has more venomous snakes than Arizona.