The promise of golden beaches, beautiful landscapes, and unlimited adventure draws millions of tourists to the sunny coasts of the Sunshine State each year. Many of these tourists are lured to the Sunshine State.
Nevertheless, the state of Florida is not only a destination for vacationers; rattlesnakes are also drawn to the sun-drenched terrain, where they thrive in the state’s warm climate and various habitats.
In 2023, the state received more than 140.6 million tourists, which established a new record for the biggest number of tourists ever to visit the state.
When compared to the years prior, the number of snake bites that were reported in South Florida increased during that same year. The state of Florida is home to a number of different kinds of rattlesnakes, such as the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus-horridus), and the Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri).
Big Cypress National Preserve
There are several different ecosystems that can be found within the Big Cypress National Preserve, which is situated around 45 miles west of Miami. These ecosystems include swamps, marshes, woodlands, and cypress wetlands.
Over 729,000 acres of the Big Cypress Swamp are included in the Preserve, which is home to a diverse collection of plants that are both temperate and tropical in nature.
It is a popular location for people who have a passion for the outdoors and enjoy activities such as astronomy, kayaking, and hiking in the authorized Dark Sky Park.
Hiking the five-mile Gator Hook Trail through the Cypress Swamp or paddling on the Turner River Paddling Trail through freshwater wetlands and coast estuaries are two of the most popular activities in the Preserve that offer the possibility of seeing rattlesnakes.
Florida Everglades
The Florida Everglades are by far the most snake-infested locations in the state, despite the fact that wildlife enthusiasts often opt to visit Everglades National Park in order to observe the American Alligator, which is estimated to number over 250,000 in the park.
While there are 46 different species of snakes in the state, the protected wetland ecosystem is home to 23 different kinds of snakes. These species include the eastern diamondback and the dusky pygmy rattlesnake.
It is possible for the eastern diamondback rattlesnake to reach a length of up to eight feet, making it the largest rattlesnake in North America. On the other hand, pygmy rattlesnakes are normally shorter, measuring between 14 and 22 inches in length.
Ecotourists who are traveling to Florida and have an interest in observing rattlesnakes in their natural environment may think about scheduling an Everglades Day Safari trip, which departs from Miami, Fort Myers, and Naples.
Alternatively, they could take an exhilarating 60-minute Airboat trip from Everglades Holiday Park, which departs from Fort Lauderdale.
Suwannee River Basin
In spite of the fact that the timber rattlesnake is not extremely prevalent in the Sunshine State, it can be found in the Suwannee River Basin in northern Florida and in the extreme northeastern Panhandle of Florida.
In addition to the boundaries of swamps and marshes, its preferred habitat is found in pine flatwoods, cane thickets, and hardwood forests.
When compared to eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, timber rattlesnakes are significantly shorter, with adults measuring between three and five feet in length instead.
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The Suwannee River Basin is a prime site for paddling along the 70-mile Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, which crosses the river in northern Florida and Georgia.
This area is a haven for outdoor adventurers and wilderness explorers, and it is well known for its wilderness exploration opportunities.
Biking, bird viewing, fishing, and horseback riding are some of the other activities that are popular in the basin during the summer months.
Apalachicola National Forest
Over half a million acres make up the Apalachicola National Forest, which is the largest national forest in the state of Florida.
It is situated close to Tallahassee, which serves as the headquarters of the state. It has a variety of habitats, ranging from pine flatwoods to marsh areas, which makes it an ideal environment for the presence of venomous snakes such as the eastern diamondback rattlesnake and the dusky pygmy rattlesnake.
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There are more than 80 miles of routes that are approved for hiking, making the forest a popular destination for hikers. Hikers can easily spend a few hours or a few days during their time in the forest.
After you have finished your hike, the Camel Lake Recreation Area is the ideal place to unwind and take pleasure in one of the few lakes in the forest that is completely transparent.
Fort Matanzas National Monument
Rattlesnake Island, which is a barrier island in the Atlantic Ocean, is the location of the Fort Matanzas National Monument.
Fort St. Augustine is a popular destination for history buffs and military enthusiasts who travel by boat from mainland Florida to take a guided tour of the fort and its strategic importance in the defense of St. Augustine, the oldest city in the United States, during the Spanish colonial period. The fort is only accessible by boat from mainland Florida.
Because of the island’s diverse ecosystems, which include coastal woods, salt marshes, and dunes, the region surrounding Fort Matanzas is home to a wide range of animals, including birds, marine life, and a robust population of eastern diamondback rattlesnakes.
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