Being new to FL, I drove down to myakka on saturday and saw a few alligators. I would really love to see some coral snakes and cottonmouths, preferably from a distance. I would appreciate any info on where to go inthe sarsota area for this.

Hey,

I live in Sarasota & have a home down the road from Myakka Forest.
If your looking for snakes like that in the wild you may have to look hard.
I have been in Sarasota all my life & I only stumble across 1 every few months or so.
If you want to see a captured one you can go to Sarasota Jungle Gardens.
I am pretty sure they have them in their snake room.

Robert

Thanks: I will check them out this weekend. Some people have said cottomouths and corals are all over the place. I have only been in FL for 12 days so far, but I have looked. All I have seen was alligators (Myakka) and large inects and lizards.

I see them but not all over.

Robert

Have you seen coral snakes (in the wild, street, grass etc?). Someone also told me about the pigmy rattlers.

Also, I am curious as to when th best time and conditions are to find snakes. Is it too hot or wet at the moment?

During the daily rain they will hide.
Where are you going to look?
At the park?

Robert

For now, at the banks of streams, retention ponds etc.

I dont think you will find many in the streams.
Your best bet for rattlers is a field w/ palmetto bushes.
They will hide in there.
Myakka Park is probably your best safe bet though.

Robert

Being a yankee city boy, I do realize one important fact: Rattlers, and othersnakes are great at camoflage. I do not want to step on one.

Being a "Hick Redneck Southerner" I dont want to step on them either but sadly thats how I find most of them.

Robert

Have you stepped on any venomous snakes? By the way, you southerners do a good job on BBQ, you need to go up north and teach the art!

I found two cottonmouths in a small drainage stream near me several years ago, and a rattler in an small old broken down shed a few years ago as well.

I have stepped on them @ job sites & hunting. (I wear work boots & jeans so no issues)
I make good BBQ!

Robert

I can see work boots being protective but Jeans?

You need to go to some pretentious northern city and open up a restaurant. You can't call it southern style BBQ prok though, you have to call it Tuscan pork or something so you can charge more. (Hey! Polenta is basically flavored corn grits!)

I'm interested in herping in Sarasota let me know when you want to do it. best time is early morning late afternoon for rattlers and moccasins usually during the hot of the day they come out of the water. coral snakes you can find all times of the day mainly under dense brush/leaves. I have one hook and I'm buying a field hook maybe sooner than later. do you have any hooks? If your real interested in herping, this spring I plan to go to the everglades after some big boids and would love more company don't worry to much about accidentally stepping on them rattlers always give away there position when in striking range and RARELY strike unless corner or threatin. and USUALLY give a dry strike if your not food. most bites happen after the snake has been killed and someone reaches to move the dead body moccasins will not attack unless you provoke it. Ive been stupid and got face to face with one to prove my point to my friend but there twin the non venomous but very aggressive brown water snake will most certainly come for you. all in all don't step over logs and always lift rocks/wood toward you to act as a shield. if the animal is acting aggressively cover it up with a bag and wait for the rattle to stop. I have alot of experience with wild hots I am not a professionals these statements are based around my 14+ years experience.