Predators and other Deadly Creatures

Deadly Snakes

When dealing with snake bites, it's extremely important to identify the snake at the time of the incident to be able to assist with the proper anti-venom. This could be life or death for your pet. Here is a list of venomous snakes in Southwest Florida to help you identify in such a case.

Pygmy Rattlesnake

Cottonmouth / Water Moccasin

Commonly found in or near water in marshes,
lakes, swamps, streams, creeks, ponds,
and drainage ditches

Coral Snake

Not to be confused with the similarly colored King Snake.
"Red on Yellow, Kill a Fellow. Red on Black, Venom Lack"
or
"Red and Yellow can kill a fellow; Red and Black, friend of Jack".

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Venomous Spiders

Black Widow

Females (the ones to look out for...)
- Females are shiny black, with a red-orange hourglass pattern on their abdomen. Males are brown or gray, with small red spots or pink markings.
- Females are twice the size of males and typically have shorter legs.
- Females build webs and wait for prey or mates. Males don't make webs, but hunt for insects.
- Females bite and inject venom. Males don't.
- Females can live for up to 18 months, males only five months.

The Black Widow's venom is a neurotoxic and is dangerous for animals and potentially fatal if left untreated, especially for young or smaller pets. Symptoms include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain signs, tremors, paralysis, blood pressure changes, and death.

Brown Recluse

Male and Females are Venomous

The Brown Recluse's venom is a mix of phospholipases and proteases and is dangerous for animals and potentially fatal if left untreated, especially for young or smaller pets. Symptoms include lethargy, fever, vomiting, bruising and other bleeding disorders, liver or kidney damage, and severe skin wounds. Unfortunately, there is not an anti-venom. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive.

Other Deadly Creatures

New Guinea Flatworm

An invasive species from potted plants, it's become endemic to Southwest Florida. They carry a bacteria that can traverse the skin leading to a bacterial meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and nervous system).

Cane Toad / Bufo Toad

If your dog comes in contact with one of these toads look out for: Crying out or other vocalization, altered mentation, pawing at the mouth and/or eyes, profuse drooling of saliva from the mouth, difficulty with breathing, unsteady movements, seizures, and collapse. Deadly if not caught in time.

Learn more about how to identify these toads by clicking here.