Venomous snakes and spiders in Florida
Florida has seven venomous snake species among the 49 snake species listed there: Florida cottonmouth, pygmy rattlesnake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, northern cottonmouth, eastern coral snake, timber rattlesnake and eastern copperhead. The Florida cottonmouth accounts for the most records (461), and venomous species make up 9% of all 20,833 licensed snake records in the state. On the spider side, four species are medically significant: brown widow, southern black widow, red widow and northern black widow.
Venomous snakes of Florida
Florida's venomous snakes are three copperhead or cottonmouth species, three rattlesnake species and one coral snake species. Together they account for 1,856 licensed records; the Florida cottonmouth alone has 25% of them, and the least recorded, the eastern copperhead, has 19.
Dangerous spiders of Florida
Four widow species (Brown widow: 146 records, Southern black widow: 52 records, Red widow: 16 records, Northern black widow: 3 records) are on the Florida list. There is no recluse spider on the Florida list: no recluse species reaches 10 records in the state. Widow bites cause muscle pain and cramps; recluse bites can cause a slow-healing wound. Both are rare and seldom fatal.
Are there scorpions in Florida?
Yes. Three scorpion species are recorded in Florida, from 260 licensed records: Hentz striped scorpion (164 records), Slenderbrown scorpion (43 records), Keys bark scorpion (7 records). Every scorpion has venom; only the Arizona bark scorpion's sting is medically significant, and it is not on the Florida list.
Also recorded in Florida, fewer than 10 times
Beyond the main list, one scorpion species is known from Florida by only three records of any license. It may be a genuine rarity at the edge of its range, or a stray, a released pet or an old misidentification, so treat it as unconfirmed.
Other snakes recorded most in Florida
These eight account for 68% of all licensed snake records in Florida; the most recorded, the Burmese python, alone for 39%. The Burmese python is a large constrictor: non-venomous, but it can inflict serious bites and constriction injuries. Keep away from it, and get medical care after any bite.
Other spiders recorded most in Florida
These eight account for 36% of all licensed spider records in Florida; the most recorded, the American golden orb weaver, alone for 8%.
When venomous snakes are out in Florida
Observation records of venomous snakes in Florida run through most of the year, peaking in March with 13% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 22% of the records.
Season of each venomous snake
| Species | Main season | Peak month | Winter share | Observation records |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida cottonmouth | most of the year | March | 23% | 413 |
| Pygmy rattlesnake | most of the year | October | 19% | 175 |
| Eastern diamondback rattlesnake | most of the year | October | 21% | 134 |
| Eastern coral snake | most of the year | May | 23% | 69 |
When spiders are most active in Florida
Observation records of spiders in Florida run through most of the year, peaking in April with 10% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 21% of the records.
When scorpions are out in Florida
Observation records of scorpions in Florida run through most of the year, peaking in April with 21% of them. Winter (December to February) holds 17% of the records.
Counties with the most venomous snake records
Miami-Dade County has the most records of venomous snakes in Florida, 232, most of them of the Florida cottonmouth. Collier County and Alachua County follow.
| # | County | Records | Most recorded there |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami-Dade County | 232 | Florida cottonmouth |
| 2 | Collier County | 133 | Florida cottonmouth |
| 3 | Alachua County | 125 | Eastern coral snake |
| 4 | Marion County | 121 | Pygmy rattlesnake |
| 5 | Liberty County | 111 | Pygmy rattlesnake |
| 6 | Wakulla County | 86 | Eastern diamondback rattlesnake |
| 7 | Franklin County | 76 | Pygmy rattlesnake |
| 8 | Lee County | 58 | Florida cottonmouth |
| 9 | Orange County | 41 | Pygmy rattlesnake |
| 10 | Monroe County | 34 | Florida cottonmouth |
Where in Florida are snakes recorded most?
Miami-Dade County dominates: 31% of the state's licensed snake records come from it alone, and the top five counties hold 60%. 67 of Florida's 67 counties have at least one licensed snake record.
| # | County | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami-Dade County | 6,533 | 31.4% |
| 2 | Collier County | 2,428 | 11.7% |
| 3 | Alachua County | 1,290 | 6.2% |
| 4 | Monroe County | 1,218 | 5.8% |
| 5 | Broward County | 1,057 | 5.1% |
| 6 | Lee County | 660 | 3.2% |
| 7 | Orange County | 574 | 2.8% |
| 8 | Marion County | 495 | 2.4% |
| 9 | Palm Beach County | 432 | 2.1% |
| 10 | Glades County | 421 | 2.0% |
| 11 | Liberty County | 413 | 2.0% |
| 12 | Franklin County | 319 | 1.5% |
Florida counties with their own page: Alachua County, Broward County, Citrus County, Collier County, Duval County, Escambia County, Franklin County, Glades County, Highlands County, Hillsborough County, Lee County, Liberty County, Marion County, Miami-Dade County, Monroe County, Okeechobee County, Orange County, Palm Beach County, Polk County and Sarasota County.
Are there poisonous snakes in Florida?
Yes. Florida has seven venomous snake species on its list, the kind people usually call poisonous: Florida cottonmouth, pygmy rattlesnake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, northern cottonmouth, eastern coral snake, timber rattlesnake and eastern copperhead. Strictly, snakes are venomous (they inject venom), not poisonous (harmful to eat or touch).
Are there rattlesnakes in Florida?
Yes. Three species are on the Florida list: the pygmy rattlesnake, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake and the timber rattlesnake, with 859 licensed records between them. Most licensed records of the pygmy rattlesnake come from Liberty County, Marion County and Miami-Dade County.
Are there copperheads in Florida?
Yes. One species is on the Florida list: the eastern copperhead, with 19 licensed records.
Are there cottonmouths (water moccasins) in Florida?
Yes. Two species are on the Florida list: the Florida cottonmouth and the northern cottonmouth, with 740 licensed records between them. Most licensed records of the Florida cottonmouth come from Miami-Dade County, Collier County and Alachua County.
Are there coral snakes in Florida?
Yes. One species is on the Florida list: the eastern coral snake, with 238 licensed records. Most licensed records of the eastern coral snake come from Alachua County, Marion County and Citrus County.
Florida cottonmouth (Agkistrodon conanti)
Florida has 461 licensed records of the Florida cottonmouth, which ranks the state 1st of the 2 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Florida run through most of the year, peaking in March; most licensed records come from Miami-Dade County, Collier County and Alachua County. Range in other states and photos: Florida cottonmouth profile.
Pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius)
Florida has 439 licensed records of the pygmy rattlesnake, which ranks the state 1st of the 11 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Florida run through most of the year, peaking in October; most licensed records come from Liberty County, Marion County and Miami-Dade County. Range in other states and photos: Pygmy rattlesnake profile.
Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)
Florida has 396 licensed records of the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, which ranks the state 1st of the 5 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Florida run through most of the year, peaking in October; most licensed records come from Miami-Dade County, Liberty County and Wakulla County. Range in other states and photos: Eastern diamondback rattlesnake profile.
Northern cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
Florida has 279 licensed records of the northern cottonmouth, which ranks the state 6th of the 16 states where it reaches our threshold. Most of its licensed records in Florida come from Miami-Dade County, Liberty County and Collier County. Range in other states and photos: Northern cottonmouth profile.
Eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius)
Florida has 238 licensed records of the eastern coral snake, which ranks the state 1st of the 5 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Florida run through most of the year, peaking in May; most licensed records come from Alachua County, Marion County and Citrus County. Range in other states and photos: Eastern coral snake profile.
Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Florida has 24 licensed records of the timber rattlesnake, which ranks the state 23rd of the 30 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Timber rattlesnake profile.
Eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
Florida has 19 licensed records of the eastern copperhead, which ranks the state 24th of the 27 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Eastern copperhead profile.
Harmless lookalikes in Florida
Many snakes and spiders taken for venomous ones are harmless species with a similar look. These are the usual confusions, with each species' licensed records in Florida.
What looks like a copperhead in Florida
Copperheads: 19 licensed records in Florida. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: corn snake (700), eastern rat snake (131), eastern hog-nosed snake (106), northern water snake (104) and eastern milksnake (41). Together they have 1,129 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 59 times as often.
What looks like a cottonmouth in Florida
Cottonmouths: 740 licensed records in Florida. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: southern watersnake (1,488), Florida green water snake (431), brown water snake (350), mud snake (188) and green water snake (111). Together they have 2,706 licensed records, and the lookalikes are recorded 4 times as often.
What looks like a rattlesnake in Florida
Rattlesnakes: 859 licensed records in Florida. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: eastern hog-nosed snake (106) and pine snake (62). Together they have 168 licensed records, and here the venomous species are the more recorded side, 5.1 to 1.
What looks like a coral snake in Florida
Coral snakes: 238 licensed records in Florida. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: scarlet snake (214), scarlet kingsnake (71) and eastern milksnake (41). Together they have 326 licensed records, and the two sides are recorded about equally.
What looks like a widow spider in Florida
Widow spiders: 217 licensed records in Florida. Harmless species often taken for them are also on the state list: common house spider (6) and triangulate bud spider (3). Together they have 9 licensed records, and here the venomous species are the more recorded side, 24.1 to 1.
What looks like a recluse spider in Florida
Recluse spiders are not on the Florida list, but they are recorded in Florida once (records of any license: brown recluse 1): treat any spider like this as venomous until identified. Harmless species often taken for them in the state: southern house spider (65) and longbodied cellar spider (1).
How Florida compares
By count of venomous snake species, Florida ranks 5th of 50 states, level with California and Georgia. Nationally, Arizona leads with 14 species; five list none.
Florida lists as many venomous snake species as Georgia, and more than any other state it borders (Florida: 7 species; Georgia 7, Alabama 6).
Every venomous snake listed in a neighboring state is also on the Florida list. The most widely shared are the eastern copperhead, the eastern coral snake, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, the northern cottonmouth, the pygmy rattlesnake and the timber rattlesnake, each listed in both bordering states.
Are there poisonous spiders in Florida?
Does Florida have black widows?
Yes. Four widow species are on the Florida list: the brown widow (146 records), the southern black widow (52 records), the red widow (16 records) and the northern black widow (3 records).
Does Florida have brown recluse spiders?
Not on our list: GBIF holds 1 brown recluse record of any license in Florida (brown recluse 1), fewer than 10 of any one species; such records can be genuine rarities, strays, transported animals or misidentifications. Treat any spider that looks like a recluse as venomous.
Brown widow (Latrodectus geometricus)
Florida has 146 licensed records of the brown widow, which ranks the state 2nd of the 11 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Florida run through most of the year, peaking in July; most licensed records come from Broward County, Alachua County and Sarasota County. Range in other states and photos: Brown widow profile.
Southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans)
Florida has 52 licensed records of the southern black widow, which ranks the state 5th of the 22 states where it reaches our threshold. Its observation records in Florida run through most of the year, peaking in April; most licensed records come from Alachua County, Duval County and Escambia County. Range in other states and photos: Southern black widow profile.
Red widow (Latrodectus bishopi)
Florida has 16 licensed records of the red widow, the only state where it reaches our listing threshold.
Northern black widow (Latrodectus variolus)
Florida has 3 licensed records of the northern black widow, which ranks the state 24th of the 30 states where it reaches our threshold. Range in other states and photos: Northern black widow profile.
More for Florida
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.