These 5 Florida lakes are most ‘snake-infested' waters in the entire state, 2 are in PBC
According to the WorldAtlas, Florida has 46 native species of snakes, as well as four invasive species — and don't forget the six categories of venomous snakes in the state.
"The state of Florida is a hotbed for snake activity. Lush ecosystems spread across a mix of tropical and subtropical climates are tailor-made for these cold-blooded slitherers," the geography website states, adding that snakes are a vital part of our ecosystem.
We have more in common with these scaly serpents than we realize. Snakes and humans both love to seek out bodies of water to cool down in the sweltering summers. However, before you go swimming in your local lake, which is already questionable due to our massive alligator population, make sure it isn't also known for its large number of snakes.
The Lakes of the Everglades
It wouldn't be a list of the most "snake-infested" lakes without the Everglades popping up.
WorldAtlas highlighted the lakes of South Florida's national park mainly for their large, unwelcome inhabitant — the Burmese python. These invasive species have dominated the waters within the Everglades for decades.
"Because of a combination of intentional releases by dissatisfied pet owners (pythons are popular exotic pets in this region) and 1992's Hurricane Andrew destroying a breeding facility (which released untold specimens into nearby swamps), the population of these snakes has grown at unmanageable rates," the report shares. "Given their overwhelming reproductive habits and the fact that they can grow to over 15 feet in length and weigh over 200 pounds, these stealthy constrictors constitute one of the worst-case examples of invasive species on the planet."
Besides the Burmese python, here are some other species you'll find in the Everglades, with those highlighted being venomous:
Coral Snake
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Eastern Garter Snake
Eastern Indigo Snake
Florida Brown Snake
Florida Cottonmouth
Pygmy Rattlesnake
Rat Snake
Lake Okeechobee
Moving a smidge north, we're highlighting the largest lake in the state, Lake Okeechobee. It is the tenth-largest freshwater lake in the country. When compared to freshwater lakes contained entirely within the U.S. boundary, it becomes the second-largest lake, surpassed only by Lake Michigan.
This 730-square-mile, shallow body of water, situated in the South-Central part of the state, is famous for its largemouth bass and speckled perch, as well as bluegills, Okeechobee catfish, and black crappies.
However, other less-popular creatures also lurk nearby.
Central and Southern Florida have roughly 34 native species (four of which are venomous) and three invasive species of snakes. With that said, WorldAtlas says the most commonly sighted snakes are Florida green watersnakes, brown watersnakes, the Eastern kingsnake, Brahminy blind snakes, and the Florida king snake.
Lake Seminole
Northwest of state capital Tallahassee is Florida's Lake Seminole (not to be confused with Lake Seminole on the West coast of Central Florida) is a long and narrow reservoir.
Forty-five out of the state's 46 known native species and all six of the venomous varieties are found in the region. WorldAtlas says three different rattlesnakes are reported around Lake Seminole: timber, diamondback, and pygmy.
Cottonmouths (also known as the water moccasin) are also found around the lake, sometimes confused with non-venomous watersnakes.
Lake Iamonia
Leon County's Lake Iamonia is a seven-mile-long prairie lake that drains through a natural sinkhole during dry seasons and reforms when the rains return (despite an unsuccessful attempt at damming and regulating the levels between 1939 and 1980).
WorldAtlas states that the lake is popular among photographers, paddlers, and nature lovers. Identified species include banded watersnakes, Florida green watersnakes, cottonmouths, Eastern kingsnakes, corn snakes, red-bellied snakes, Southern ribbon snakes, ringneck snakes, and scarlet snakes.
Lake Talquin
North Florida's Lake Talquin is our final stop. This former floodplain-turned-manmade reservoir west of Tallahassee is well-stocked with fish and birds, along with their slithering companions.
Cottonmouths, red-bellied watersnakes, and brown watersnakes are the big three commonly found in this 15-square-mile lake and around its 40 miles of shoreline, according to WorldAtlas.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida snake population highest in these 5 lakes, study shows
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Discovery is on a mission to rescue Su'Kal (Bill Irwin). This Kelpien has been stranded aboard a ship for over a century. And in order to keep him safe, the entire ship has been converted into a holodeck. When Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz) and Saru (Doug Jones) beam aboard the ship, they are startled to find that the holodeck makes them appear as different species. While it takes until a subsequent episode, Saru is eventually able to convince Su'Kal to shut down the holodeck program, allowing everyone to safely escape from the Kelpien ship. The Star Trek episodes discussed in this article are currently available for streaming on Paramount+. Hit It: Best Quotes From STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS' 'A Space Adventure Hour' Avery Kaplan (she/her) is the author of several books and the Features Editor at Comics Beat. With her spouse Ollie Kaplan, Avery co-authored the middle school textbook on intersectionality Double Challenge: Being LGBTQ and a Minority. She was honored to serve as a judge for the 2021 - 2024 Cartoonist Studio Prize Awards and the 2021 Prism Awards. She lives in the mountains of Southern California with her partner and a pile of cats, and her favorite place to visit is the cemetery. You can also find her writing on Comics Bookcase, the Gutter Review, Shelfdust, the Mary Sue, in the Comics Courier and in many issues of PanelxPanel, and in the margins of the books in her personal library.
