The large eastern mud snake (Farancia abacura abacura) can grow to over six feet long. The eastern mud snake can be found in most freshwater habitats throughout Florida, where it hunts for amphibians in dense aquatic vegetation. Its body is glossy black with red or pink bars running along the belly. Scales are mostly smooth. It has a sharply pointed tail. See this U.F. link for more complete information: Farancia abacura

Another large Florida snake, the rainbow snake (Farancia erytrogramma), can grow to more than five feet long. Although rarely seen, rainbow snakes inhabit the mats of vegetation along spring runs, and clear streams and rivers. It feeds on sirens, fish, eels and tadpoles. It has highly iridescent scales, thus "rainbow snake". It has a large, thick blue-black body with reddish stripes down the belly and along the back and sides. See this U.F. link for more complete information: Farancia erytrogramma

The southern ringneck snake (Diadophis punctatus) is a small snake that may grow to a foot-and-a-half long. It frequents debris piles in swamps and damp woodlands, where it searches for earthworms, amphibians and small reptiles. The ringneck snake has a slender body with smooth scales. It is slate grey above with a brightly colored ring around its neck. Its underside is yellow with black markings. It seldom bites. The Key ringsnake, Diadophis punctatus acricus, is listed as a threatened species. See this U.F. link for more complete information: Diadophis punctatus

A large constrictor, the gray rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta spiloides), grows to seven feet long. Gray rat snakes commonly inhabit wooded areas around swamps and other wetlands, where they may be found high in the trees looking for birds and eggs. They also eat rodents. They vary in color, ranging from smoky-white gray with gray blotches, to dark gray with brownish blotches. The belly is gray with indistinct blotching. See this U.F. link for more complete information: Elaphe obsoleta spiloides

The largest nonpoisonous snake to be found in North America, the indigo snake, can reach nine or more feet long, averaging five feet. The indigo cohabitates with gopher tortoises and prefers dry saw palmetto habitats near water, but is also found in tropical hammocks and muckland fields of south Florida. It kills without constricting, feeding on reptiles, amphibians, small mammals and birds. The indigo has a very shiny blue-black body with large, smooth, glassy scales. Small red and even white blotches sometimes pattern the chin and throat. As a result of heavy collection for the pet trade, and a decline in gopher tortoise burrows, the indigo is now listed as a threatened species. See this Army Corps of Engineers link for more complete information: Drymarchon corais (this is a PDF file)

The small north Florida swamp snake (Seminatrix pygaea pygaea) and its subspecies, the south Florida swamp snake (Seminatrix pygaea cyclas) grow only to a foot-and-a-half long. They may be found in the decaying vegetation of shallow marshes and cypress swamps where they feed on small invertebrates and amphibians. Their bodies have smooth scales and are glossy black; the chin is yellow to pink to red. The underside is reddish with black blotches. See this U.F. link for more complete information: Seminatrix pygaea

The Florida green water snake (Nerodia floridana) has a heavy body that grows to four feet long. The Florida green water snake swims in the water and dives for crayfish, fish, frogs and other amphibians. It is found in swamps, marshes, ponds, and ditches. In its green phase, it is olive above; in its brown phase it is brown. (It may be reddish in south Florida.) In all colorings it is speckled with brown bands. The snake's underside is cream colored. The Florida green water snake is known to be "ill tempered"; it is also known to bite. See this U.F. link for more complete information: Nerodia floridana

Several medium-sized subspecies of water snake (Nerodia fasciata) live in Florida, including the Florida water snake (subsp. pictiventris), the banded water snake (subsp. fasciata), the Gulf salt marsh snake (subsp. clarki), the Atlantic salt marsh snake (subsp. taeniata) and the mangrove salt marsh snake (subsp. compressicauda). These are medium-sized water snakes, growing from three to five feet long. Depending on the subspecies, they may be found in freshwaters and salty waters, feeding on fish, frogs, and other aquatic animals. All of these water snakes have dark banding and might be mistaken for poisonous water moccasins, except for the Gulf salt marsh snake which is brown and tan striped, and the mangrove salt marsh snake which has several color phases. They are known to bite. See this U.F. link for more complete information: Nerodia fasciata

The large brown water snake (Nerodia taxispilota) can grow to more than five feet long. The brown water snake may be found swimming in rivers, marshes, and lakes, or overhanging the water in shrubs and trees, hunting for fish, frogs and other small aquatic animals. It has a large head and a light brown body marked with three rows of large dark brown rectangular blotches. Its underside is yellow with irregular black spots. It bears live young in vegetation beside the water. It bites ferociously. See this U.F. link for more complete information: Nerodia taxispilota

The glossy crayfish snake (Regina rigida rigida) and the striped crayfish snake (Regina alleni) are two crayfish-eating snakes that grow to nearly two feet long. They may be found in swamps, canals, bogs, and flooded areas. Their bodies are brown above, with pin stripes along the sides, having a cream to yellow colored belly. These snakes have smooth scales. The head tapers to the nose. See this U.F. link for more complete information: Regina rigida

The very slender rough green snake (Opheodrys aestivus) grows to four feet long. This beautiful snake swims in the water and climbs through branches and weeds to eat grasshoppers, crickets, caterpillars, and spiders. It has a small head and a slender body. It is green above and yellow on the underside. Juveniles are gray-green. See this U.F. link for more complete information: Opheodrys aestivus

The Florida brown snake (Storeria dekayi victa) grows to slightly over a foot long. The Florida brown snake lives in marshes where it feeds on earthworms, slugs and aquatic invertebrates. It has a small head with brown and yellow bands. Its body is brownish-tan with dark spots on top, and tan or pink flecked with black on the underside. It bears live young. See this U.F. link for more complete information: Storeria dekayi victa

The eastern ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus) grows to two feet long. It lives in swamps and marshes where it swims on the surface and weaves through branches finding fish, crickets and frogs. It has a brown body with tan-black stripes and yellow stripes on the side. (The number of stripes can vary depending on the region.) It bears live young. It looks similar to the garter snake, Thamnophis sirtalis. See this U.F. link for more complete information: Thamnophis sauritus

The Eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) reaches two feet long. It lives along the waterside where it feeds on small frogs and toads, minnows, earthworms and other small animals. The garter snake is always striped or spotted, color and patterns vary depending on the region. It has a wider head than the ribbon snake, with which it might be confused. The garter snake bears live young. See this U.F. link for more complete information: Thamnophis sirtalis