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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
These 5 Florida lakes are most ‘snake-infested' waters in the entire state, ranking says
Reptiles and Florida might as well be synonymous, especially when it comes to our slithering neighbors. 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 Tallahassee Democrat: Florida snake population highest in these 5 lakes, study shows Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
These 5 Florida lakes are most ‘snake-infested' waters in the entire state, 2 are in PBC
Reptiles and Florida might as well be synonymous, especially when it comes to our slithering neighbors. 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 Solve the daily Crossword
Time Out
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
These are the best museums in Massachusetts, including two Boston-based stunners
Few places in the United States have as strong a claim to the country's history than Massachusetts, home to witches, Harvard and Wahlbergs. WorldAtlas recently took stock of its excellent culture, releasing a list of what they consider the Bay State's 12 best museums. Shockingly, only two of Boston's dozens and dozens of museums (three, if you include Cambridge, which I strongly advise against) made the list. The round-up might be immediately controversial at the local clam chowder haunt for what it leaves out, but no one can say it doesn't cover an impressive amount of ground, from historical homeplaces to industrial icons and world-class fine art galleries. So MFA, Boston and Paul Revere House-heads, start reaching for that stiff drink. The rest of you, grab your Dunkin' and let's hit the road. For the sake of a clean and clockwise itinerary, we'll lay these out in a circuit starting and ending in the capital. These are the best museums in Boston, according to WorldAtlas: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston) One of those remarkable museums whose architecture almost surpasses its collection, the Gardner opened in 1903 in the style of a 15th-century Venetian palazzo, with what later became one of the country's most Instagrammed interior courtyards. Centuries later, in 2012, another Italian influence came via Renzo Piano's adjacent modernist wing. Its impressive collection boasts works by masters like Matisse, Titian, Botticelli and Sargent alongside letters and books by Dante, Sarah Bernhardt and T.S. Eliot. For the true crime-inclined, the museum's 1990 heist is still unsolved. Plimoth Patuxet Museums (Plymouth) Through painstakingly accurate recreations of 17th-century life, this living history museum provides a glimpse into the original Plymouth Colony. (As for its name: well, Plimoth was the old-timey spelling, and the 'Patuxet' was added in 2020 to accurately honor the area's original Indigenous name.) This open-air town shows how the Mayflower descendents lived after their historic split from the Church of England, with a well-appointed complex of houses. There's also an on-site market, cafe, cinema and event space, bridging the gap from our time to theirs. Whydah Pirate Museum (Yarmouth) No, its name is not part of a New England accent jokebook. Rather, it's titled after the Whyday Gally pirate ship, which sank near Cape Cod in 1717 and is the only shipwreck to be ever absolutely authenticated post-mortem. The museum highlights that history with artifacts recovered from the ship, which wrecked right in the middle of piracy's golden age, as well as other representatives of the era. New Bedford Whaling Museum (New Bedford) What would a New England coastline be without some seafaring? After taking in one of Boston's famed whale watching boat tours, learn about the region's historic industry at this gabled museum which charts the highs and lows of whaling, and tries to inspire a future for nature preservation. Lizzie Borden House (Fall River) One of the first and most iconic American true crime stories was born here, when 32-year-old Lizzie Borden allegedly axed her parents. She was found innocent but ostracized by the community, and now her childhood home stands as a monument to the incident. Offering gallery exhibitions, rooms to stay overnight, myriad ghost hunting opportunities and even murder mystery dinners, it's one of the spookiest homes in the country. Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History (Springfield) Though it operates mostly as a research center, this Springfield institution boasts impressive collections ready-made for dad, including the world's largest of Indian Motorcycles, which were originally produced in town from the company's 1901 founding through 1953. Its well-stocked firearm (world's largest Smith & Wesson!) and automobile collections make it an international hit. Norman Rockwell Museum (Stockbridge) The country's hopeful image of itself would not be what it is today without the contributions of Norman Rockwell, whose Rosie the Riveter stands as one of the most recognizable and historically important symbols of feminism and industry. Though born in New York City, the painter and illustrator died in rural Stockbridge in 1978. This purpose-built museum explores his life and career via paintings, magazine covers and other works. Worcester Art Museum (Worcester) Stocked with works by John Singer Sargent, an array of Japanese prints and art ranging from Modern to Roman, the Worcester Art Museum also features a Medieval meeting room lifted from a 12th-century French monastery, a theatre and an ecological science museum. Located only about an hour from Boston, it makes a case for the city's incredible culture. Concord Museum (Concord) The city that birthed the Revolutionary War (along with nearby Lexington) and Henry David Thoreau (he of Walden Pond fame) deserves a proper home, and the Concord Museum hosts artifacts and wisdom from both of those American stalwarts, as well as those belonging to the area's Indigenous heritage. Peabody Essex Museum (Salem) One of the oldest operational museums in the country began as a place to store exotic goods collected by the area's far-traveling seafarers in 1799. Today, it holds one of the United States' major collections of Asian art, and a significant African contingent as well. The museum also owns 24 historic structures and gardens throughout town, preserving local architecture and histories beyond its main walls and upping its total tally of items to around 1.3 million. Harvard Museum of Natural History (Cambridge) One of the venerable learning institution's six museums (not counting their specific subdivisions), its most-visited one will wow any nature lover with its collection of fossils, gemstones and famous glass flowers – exquisite, highly realistic glass botanical models. Look up! The massive skeleton of a right whale hangs from the second floor ceiling. Metropolitan Waterworks Museum (Boston) Originally the Chestnut Hill Pumping Station, this building became a beacon of Boston's modernization when it began pumping water to the area in 1887. It's now a fascinating museum that honors the innovation of running water and public life, with tours of the engine rooms and several historical exhibitions.
Time Out
24-07-2025
- Time Out
Fun fact: Australia has 8,222 islands — and you probably never knew they existed
Okay, we lied to you. There's a good chance you can name at least one Australian island (ahem, Tasmania), but with 8,222 official islands scattered around our coastline, odds are you've never heard of most of them. What's even cooler is that Australia has the eighth-highest number of islands on Earth – not bad for a country that's technically an island itself. This ranking is drawn from WorldAtlas, cross-checked with 2025 updates from World Population Review, which compiled its global tally of islands by aggregating national records, land surveys and satellite imagery. Generally, a landmass – inhabited or not – is classified as an island if it is surrounded by water at high tide. While some countries set thresholds for size or coastline length, artificial islands, offshore rocks and sandbanks that disappear at high tide are typically excluded. From Tasmania to the Torres Strait, Australia and its external territories comprise 8,222 islands scattered throughout the Pacific, Indian and Southern Oceans, as well as the Coral and Timor Seas. These islands vary wildly – from tiny, rocky outcrops uninhabited by humans to massive landmasses twice the size of the Australian Capital Territory. Barely more than a speck in the sea, Snapper Island in Sydney Harbour is perhaps Australia's smallest island, measuring roughly one hectare – barely the size of a soccer field. Another hidden gem is North Reef Island, a sand cay in the Great Barrier Reef spanning just 1.4 hectares. Mostly a sanctuary for sea turtles and seabirds, it sometimes disappears beneath the waves at high tide — so definitely not the spot for rolling out a picnic rug. If we were ever stranded on an island, we'd want to be stuck on the larger side of the spectrum. Take Tasmania – Australia's largest island and only island state, covering 68,401 square kilometres and home to more than half a million people. Then there's Melville Island, the country's second-largest at 5,786 square kilometres. Part of the Northern Territory's Tiwi Islands, it's a place of stunning remote beauty and rich Indigenous culture, though far less known than Tassie. Other popular Aussie islands you've probably heard of include Kangaroo Island – a wildlife wonderland off the coast of South Australia; K'gari (Fraser Island) – the world's largest sand island located off Queensland; and the beautiful Whitsunday Islands – home to Australia's best beach. Then there are the more obscure ones, like uninhabited Heard Island – home to Australia's only active volcano (Big Ben); and Warraber Island (Sue Island) – our smallest populated island with just 250 residents. Want to impress with your island trivia? Here's a peek at countries with more islands than Australia. These are the 10 countries with the most islands Sweden – 267,570 Norway – 239,057 Finland – 178,947 Canada – 52,455 United States – 18,617 Indonesia – 17,504 Japan – 14,125 Australia – 8,222 Philippines – 7,641 Chile – 5,000 😱
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Yahoo
These are the 4 most snake-filled lakes in Arizona, new ranking says
People living in Arizona have more in common with our slithery neighbors than we realize. Not only can both snakes and people handle the heat, we also often seek out bodies of water to cool down in the sweltering summers. According to geography website World Atlas' list of the most snake-infested lakes in Arizona, we have an estimated 41 species of snakes, which puts the Grand Canyon State second to Texas for highest diversity of snakes and greatest number of venomous snakes. The next time you visit these four lakes, keep an eye out for some friendly — and not so friendly — serpent friends. Lake Mead Located in both southeastern Nevada and northwestern Arizona, Lake Mead's water comes from the Colorado River. Lake Mead's approximately 247 square miles is plenty of room for the recorded 41 species of reptiles to take a cool dip. According to World Atlas, five different species of snake have been recorded at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Venomous snakes: Mojave snake Western diamondback Southwestern speckled Sidewinder rattlesnake snakes: Long, black and white striped common king snake Lake Powell Lake Powell is a man-made reservoir along the Colorado River that reaches across Utah and Arizona state lines. The maximum water capacity in Lake Powell is 24 million acre-feet, which, like Lake Mead, is plenty of room to sustain a range of wildlife. Visitors might spot any of the following snakes in Lake Powell: Black-necked garter snake Common king snake Gopher snake Glossy snake Long-nose snake Night snake Patch-nosed snake Striped whipsnake Wandering garter snake Western rattlesnake Lake Pleasant Over the years, semi-aquatic snakes have made headlines at Lake Pleasant, according to WorldAtlas. The lake is located less than an hour north of Phoenix on the Agua Fria River. According to World Atlas, a gopher snake once slithered aboard a motorboat on Lake Pleasant, and rattlesnakes have been filmed swimming across the surface. Arizona history: Lake Pleasant wasn't named for its calm waters. How the popular lake was named Mittry Lake Mittry Lake is located in the far southwest corner of Arizona, just north of Yuma near California state lines. The Mittry Lake Wildlife Area covers 600 acres of surface water and 2,400 acres of restored marsh, upland terrain, riparian woodland and desert-scrub habitats, according to World Atlas. Mittry Lake is an important ecosystem for a wide range of plants and animals, including birds, amphibians and snakes. In 2016, 20 southern banded water snakes were pulled from the area. While these snakes are non-venomous, the Florida natives are invasive to the Mittry Lake and the Yuma area. The Arizona Game and Fish Department estimated that the population of water snakes in Mittry Lake was in the thousands. Can rattlesnakes swim? Unfortunately, according to previous Arizona Republic reporting, rattlesnakes can and regularly do swim. The Arizona Game and Fish Department said rattlesnakes will swim when necessary in pursuit of food, mates or refuge. However, they usually don't travel through water faster than their land speed of two to three miles per hour. Additionally, in Arizona, species like the gopher snake, coachwhip and common kingsnake are known to take a dip, especially near rivers, lakes or backyard pools. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What to know about snakes living in Arizona lakes Solve the daily Crossword
