Turtles, snakes, lizards, and alligators are all present in the Okefenokee and are members of the class of animals called reptiles. These animals are cold-blooded vertebrates and many can be traced back to the time when dinosaurs ruled the earth. All of North America's venomous snakes live in or around the Okefenokee as well as alligators, many turtle species, lizards, and tortoises. There is little reason to fear snakes, which are non-agressive unless threatened. Alligators also are seldom agressive to humans, but never approach or feed an alligator. If you are repectful of wildlife and take precautions, there is nothing to fear in the Okefenokee.

American Alligator
(Alligator mississippiensis)

Found in the southeastern United States from Florida to the Carolinas and west to Texas, the American Alligator brings to mind the age of dinosaurs. This lizard shaped reptile reaches a length of 14 feet (3.5m) and a weight of 500 pounds (230 kg). Her diet consists of nearly anything she can catch but she shows very little interest in human prey. Once listed as "endangered," the American Alligator's status has been downgraded to "threatened" due to years of protection from hunting. The result is one of the great success stories of the conservation movement. Alligator populations have risen to such high levels that several states have allowed tightly controlled hunting of these animals for their durable hide and excellent meat. Very few records of alligator attacks on humans exist and most can be related to the animal acting in self defense or in protection of the nest and offspring. While most reptiles abandon their young or eggs immediately, the mother alligator will aggressively defend her offspring for up to two years after they hatch. Currently, what may be the largest living alligator is living in captivity at Big Cypress Reservation in the Billie Swamp Safari Compound in south Florida.

Gopher Tortoise
(Gopherus polyphemus)

Found in the sandy regions of the southeastern United States, the gopher tortoise plays a key role in the ecology of the Okefenokee. Gophers are built for burrowing with their strong front legs and sharp claws. They dig extensive burrows in which many other animals seek refuge during the colder months and during the heat of summer. Gopher burrows are a common home to rattlesnakes, who must maintain their body temperature. Because of this, the Eastern Diamondback is frequently encountered sunning near the entrance to a gopher burrow.

Common Snapping Turtle
(Chelydra serpentina)

Dating back to the Miocene period, the snapping turtle is a true survivor of evolution. This turtle reaches a weight of around 35 pounds (16 kg). Considered a delicacy by many, the snapping turtle eats a variety of aquatic animals and plants. The turtle has a large head with a very sharp, hooked jaw. He spends his time in shallow water, usually buried in the mud. Although not considered aggressive, when disturbed, the turtle is capable of a very quick strike and its powerful jaws can inflict a painful wound. A close "cousin" to this turtle is the Alligator Snapping turtle which is the largest freshwater turtle in the United States. A rather large specimen of Alligator Snapper has taken up residence at our friend, Nora's pond in Missouri. For those following this story, Nora decided to let the turtle have the pond and bought a swimming pool for the kids!

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake 
(Crotalus adamanteus)

The largest North American rattlesnake, the Eastern Diamondback can grow to a length of 8 feet (2.4 m) and is commonly found in the pine and palmetto forests around the Okefenokee. This dangerous animal is a "pit viper," named because of a small heat sensing organ or "pit" located between the eye and nostril. This pit allows the snake to sense heat from warm blooded prey. The rattlesnake gets his name from the "rattle" which is formed on the animal's tail when the skin is shed. Each shedding contributes another segment to the rattle which allows the snake to create a loud buzzing sound when he shakes his tail. This tail shaking action is performed by many other types of snakes when they sense danger. The rattlesnake's venom is uncommon in that it attacks both the nervous systems and the blood system, making the Eastern Diamondback one of the most dangerous reptiles in North America. However, like most animals and all snakes, the rattlesnake has no interest in human contact. When approached by a human, the Eastern Diamondback will first attempt flight but when it believes it cannot escape, the snake will coil and shake its tail to face all comers. He will even coil and face an oncoming pickup truck if he believes escape is impossible. Other rattler species common to the Okefenokee region include timber and pygmy rattlesnakes.

Florida Cottonmouth (Moccasin)
(Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti)

The cottonmouth makes its home near marshy lowlands and is common in the Okefenokee area. The snake does not live in water but lives around water because that is where it finds it favorite foods; fish, turtles, frogs, and other aquatic animals as well as small mammals. Growing to a length of around 5 feet, the cottonmouth is the subject of much lore and many stories which tell of its aggressive behavior and attacks on humans. These stories are likely exaggerations of the snake's tendencies when frightened. The moccasin, like other snakes will nearly always choose "flight over fight" when it comes to humans, but like the rattlesnake, when it is confronted with an enemy that it cannot escape, it will coil and face the danger. Unlike the rattlesnake, the cottonmouth will generally assume a defensive posture with its mouth wide open. The mouth is colored white and has a fluffy appearance, hence the name, cottonmouth. This dangerous animal is a "pit viper," named because of a small heat sensing organ or "pit" located between the eye and nostril. This pit allows the snake to sense heat from warm blooded prey. Baby moccasins are often confused with other water snakes and copperheads because of their coloration.

Eastern Coral Snake
(Micruvus fulvius)

The eastern coral snake is a reclusive animal that reaches a length of around 3 feet (.9m). Although the snake is rarely seen, it is a common resident of the Okefenokee and the southeast United States. The coral is a member of the cobra family and is a true burrowing snake (digs his own holes), unlike the other venomous snakes of the Okefenokee. Bites from the coral snake are uncommon but the venom is highly toxic and attacks the central nervous system. The coloring of the coral snake closely resembles that of the scarlet king snake and mistaken identity is common. An old rhyme can help with the identification, "red touching yellow, dangerous fellow," refers to the colored rings on the snakes body. The coral also will have a black snout and his rings run all the way around his body. This photograph is of a large coral seeking shelter.

Copperhead
(Agkistrodon cortortrix)

The copperhead is another "pit viper" and while its venom is relatively weak, it is no less dangerous due to its habits. Typically, copperheads have an hourglass pattern to their coloring which makes them easy to identify but a variety of other colorations have been documented from pink to red or tan. The snake normally measures less than three feet (1 meter) and inhabits a variety of locations in the eastern to central US including swamps, timber, and rocky areas. The copperhead is at home in old barns and out buildings where he serves as natural rodent control but it is his tolerance for various locations that makes his bite more frequent than his pit viper "cousins". The copperhead can be confused with a young cottonmouth because of similar markings and the classic triangular shaped head.

 

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