Free Pass Fridays Answer: April 12

Florida has 44 native snakes. Only six of these are venomous: the eastern coral snake, the southern copperhead, the cottonmouth, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, the timber rattlesnake and the dusky pigmy rattlesnake. Snakes, including the venomous species, are not particularly harmless unless stepped on. In fact, snakes play a very important role in our ecosystem. To learn more about the importance of Florida's snakes and what to do when you see one, check out the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's website about Living with Snakes.