Florida Critter Count?

We're most likely going to relocate to some random point in the Southeast sometime in the next few weeks or months. One place we've considered is Florida. However, my wife is pretty scared of snakes and alligators. All the sensational news stories about free-range pythons are not particularly helpful.

For the Floridians on this board--particularly in Orlando, Tampa, and down South? How often are you guys seeing snakes in alligators around your home and neighborhood? In your yard, shrubs, etc. Are you seeing poisonous snakes regularly? (Aside from expeditions looking for wildlife in swamps, etc.).

I'd appreciate an honest assessment from grownups on the board. The broader internet will really freak people out.

We have several type of poisonous snakes...Diamond Back and Pygmy rattlers, Cotton Mouth Moccasins and the Coral Snake come to mind and perhaps even more types. Non poisonous types I've seen include Black snakes, Chicken Snakes, Indigo and Scarlet King snakes. Poisonous snakes aren't seen very much in your average residential areas, however, you will run across them on occasion if you go to a dark sky area. If you live close to any body of water there is also a chance you will see a snake or even an alligator. The further you get away from the city the greater the chance. Also there was some problems with escaped Monitor Lizards and other invasive types like the pythons you mentioned. Always be careful where stick your hand or foot...I was born in Florida and I'm sixty years old and have never been bitten by any of the above mentioned critters and I've spent a lot time in wild places. It is a small price you pay for the stable skies and usually great planetary viewing we have here. You might try this link: www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/FL-GUIDE/Venomsnk.htm

Lee, I've been in the Fort Lauderdale/Boca Raton area for about 20 years, and have NOT seen any snakes/alligators, unless I was out in The Everglades.

My home is on a lake, right on the water, but all I see is birds... (unless the Lakes have an exit to a canal that heads to The Everglades, chances are minimal that you'll see an alligator in your backyard).

C'mon down, neighbor! 8)


Ivan

Thanks for the feedback. If this scenario works out, it looks like I would work from ATL and visit ORL as needed.