Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake “island hopping” between the mangroves at Fort DeSoto.
Quick Facts:
• Venom: They are highly venomous, but generally not aggressive unless they feel cornered.
• Diet: They often swim to islands to hunt for rabbits and large rodents.
• Safety: If you encounter one in the water while boating or paddleboarding, just give it a wide berth. They can't easily strike while fully stretched out and swimming, but they are very capable of climbing onto low-hanging branches or even onto a boat deck if they feel they need a place to rest.
📷 Mark Burgner #Florida
English
