First off, black mambas are not black. They are more gray or dark brown, and secondly, black mambas do not live in Florida. Black mambas get their name from the black inside of their mouths, and they live in sub-Saharan Africa. So, if it is not a black mamba, what are some of the black snakes in Florida?
How many species of black snakes are in Florida?
There are eight different black snake species in Florida. There’s also one honorable mention (you will see why!).
Are any of the black snakes in Florida poisonous?
The only black snake that is poisonous in Florida is the cottonmouth (also called the water moccasin). The other poisonous (or venomous) snakes in Florida are the eastern copperhead, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, dusky pygmy rattlesnake, and the harlequin coral snake.
List of black snakes in Florida
Black swamp snake
Size: 10-15 inches (25-38cm) long, small skinny snakeColoration: shiny black with a bright red or orange bellySimilarity to others: there are no other Florida snakes with the same colorationVenomous or non-venomous: non-venomousHabitat: aquatic, lives in marshes, swamps, lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streamsLocation in Florida: throughout most of Florida and into the panhandle, not found in the Keys
Brahminy blind snake
Size: tiny snakes, only 4.5-6.5 inches (11-16cm), look the same at both ends, hard to tell heads from the back end, tiny eyes which is why they are called a blindsnake.Coloration: their whole body is the same color, black, dark gray, or even purplishSimilarity to others: they look like a thicker earthworm!Venomous or non-venomous: non-venomousHabitat: similar to earthworms, they prefer to burrow in loose soil and leaf pilesLocation in Florida: found from Key West up the coast and throughout most of the state, rarely in the panhandle
Eastern indigo
Size: 60-82 inches (that is 5-6 ½ feet!), thick-bodied snakeColoration: black with iridescent purple and blue hue with the sunlight, reddish-orange markings under the chinSimilarity to others: North American racers and eastern coachwhipVenomous or non-venomous: non-venomousHabitat: variety, scrub, prairies, coastal dunes, edge of freshwater marshes, like to live in the burrows of gopher tortoiseLocation in Florida: found throughout the state, although very rarely seen in the Keys
Florida cottonmouth
Size: 30-48 inches (2.5-4 feet) long, thick-bodiedColoration: start tan with dark-brown markings, but as they get older, they get darker, and some are eventually black with faint dark markingsSimilarity to others: they look a lot like other non-venomous water snakes like the saltmarsh snake and the Florida green watersnakeVenomous or non-venomous: venomousHabitat: swamps, rivers, lakes, ponds, ditches, retention poolsLocation in Florida: they are found in all Florida counties, including the Keys and a few offshore islands.
Glossy swamp snake
Size: 14-24 inches (36-60cm), small snakeColoration: looks black but may be more of dark olive, have a faint stripe down their back and on either side, yellowish lipsSimilarity to others: the striped swamp snakeVenomous or non-venomous: non-venomousHabitat: aquatic, swamps, marshes, slow-moving waterways, lakes, ponds, ditchesLocation in Florida: from central Florida NW to the panhandle
North American racer
Size: 20-55 inches (50-142cm), long skinny snakeColoration: all black with a white chin, large eyesSimilarity to others: eastern indigo and eastern coachwhipVenomous or non-venomous: non-venomousHabitat: prairies, scrubs, forests, and suburban backyardsLocation in Florida: throughout Florida, including the Keys
Ring-necked snake
Size: 8-14 inches (21-36cm), tiny snakeColoration: all black with a bright red, orange, or yellow belly, also has a colored ring around its neck like a dog collarSimilarity to others: the black swamp snake, look for the collar to tell them apartVenomous or non-venomous: non-venomousHabitat: prairies, meadows, and suburban backyardsLocation in Florida: throughout Florida, including the Keys
Saltmarsh snake
Size: 15-30 inches (38-76cm), medium-bodiedColoration: wide variation in color, but are sometimes all black with faint dark stripes down the sideSimilarity to others: Florida cottonmouth, which can be a problem since the cottonmouth is venomous; better to stay away from all black watersnakesVenomous or non-venomous: non-venomousHabitat: aquatic, prefers coastal areas, marshes, mangroves in both fresh and saltwater estuaries, like to live in crab burrowsLocation in Florida: found along the perimeter of Florida along the coasts, including the Keys
Honorable Mention: Eastern Coachwhip
If you see a black snake in Florida, you will have a better idea of identifying it. There is one more notable black snake in Florida that deserves mentioning. The eastern coachwhip is not all black like the snakes on our list, but if you just saw the first foot of the head and body, it would be all black. Their body then fades into a light tan. So they made our list as an honorable mention.
Size: 42-60 inches (107-152cm), heavy-bodiedColoration: heads are all black, and then after about a foot, it gradually fades to a light tanSimilarity to others: Eastern Indigo and North American RacerVenomous or non-venomous: non-venomousHabitat: sandhills, scrubs, along beaches, prefer hot, dry habitatsLocation in Florida: throughout Florida except in the Keys or some of the southern wetlands
