Florida
Snakes in Desoto County
13 species have been documented here, 3 of them venomous.
Venomous snakes in Desoto County
Full guide & what to do if bitten →
Northern CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorusVenomousHeavy body, triangular head, vertical pupils, and a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril.
Eastern Diamondback RattlesnakeCrotalus adamanteusVenomousHeavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Pygmy RattlesnakeSistrurus miliariusVenomousStout, dark-blotched body, nine large scales on the crown, and a small rattle.
Every snake recorded in Desoto County
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
Harmless
Eastern Ratsnake
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
Harmless
Red Cornsnake
Pantherophis guttatus
Harmless
Common Ribbon Snake
Thamnophis saurita
Harmless
Northern Cottonmouth
Agkistrodon piscivorus
Venomous
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Crotalus adamanteus
Venomous
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
Harmless
Banded Watersnake
Nerodia fasciata
Harmless
Pygmy Rattlesnake
Sistrurus miliarius
Venomous
Scarletsnake
Cemophora coccinea
Harmless
Scarlet Kingsnake
Lampropeltis elapsoides
Harmless
Mudsnake
Farancia abacura
Harmless
Florida Brownsnake
Storeria victa
Harmless
Compiled from verified GBIF & iNaturalist observations. Informational only.
Snakes in Desoto County: FAQ
- Are there venomous snakes in Desoto County, Florida?
- Yes. 3 venomous snake species have verified records in Desoto County, Florida, including Northern Cottonmouth, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattlesnake. Most snakes in Desoto County, Florida, however, are harmless.
- How many snake species live in Desoto County, Florida?
- 10+ snake species have verified records in Desoto County, Florida, of which 3 are venomous.
- What is the most commonly seen snake in Desoto County, Florida?
- The North American Racer is the most frequently reported snake in Desoto County, Florida, based on verified wildlife observations.
- What should I do if I see a venomous snake in Desoto County, Florida?
- Keep your distance and do not try to catch or kill it. Most bites happen when people handle or corner a snake. If someone is bitten, contact local emergency services or poison control immediately.