Reptiles in orlando

[Ocean Springs Mom]

Unfortunately I'm afraid of snakes, too.

I saw one in and amongst the tombstones at the entry to the HM a few years ago. It just slithered away.

I also saw one in the leaves and grass behind our cabin in FW. Again, it slithered away and left us alone.

At the waterparks, you'll have a clear line of site, everywhere you go, so if there is one, you'll see it. And, you'll go the other way.

My DH was bitten by a snake last year, couldn't catch it and kill it, so unsure of type, and landed in ICU for 3 days. He was on an island where everyone assumed there were no snakes. So, he wasn't really looking around for them. Here is our tip; watch where you are walking especially in the dark or at dusk. He walked up on the snake, scared it, and the snake couldn't get away before DH stepped on it. They are just a part of nature, like anything else, they just have to dealt with. And, they can be anywhere. But, they don't like us either.

 

[kitchenfairy]

Hi ely3857,
Like you I am terrified of snakes also. I never thought about snakes being in the park until I read it here! That freaked me out of course. I have never seen a snake at WDW(Thank God!) and believe me I keep a close eye. I have been to blizzard beach and didn't see any there. I know that terrified feeling you get when you even think about encountering one but you can't let it spoil your trip. Chances are you will nevere seeone,so go and have fun! I would avoid the Great Movie Ride also,that scene always gives me the willys and I definitly close my eyes!!! Have a fabulous time, Iwill be there in 2weeks and I'll check around for you!!!

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

Has nothing to do with WDW, but I had to kill a small snake on my back patio a few months ago, and I felt sooooo bad! I didn't really have a choice because it was poisonous and I have dogs that go out back, but I still felt bad for killing a "baby". I know, crazy. I grew up in the country though, and before the age of video games etc. you had to entertain yourself. Plus, my mom would send us out to play and tell us not to come back in unless we needed to use the bathroom! So, growing up in the country, playing in the woods, and swimming in the pond, I learned a healthy respect for snakes, but not much of a fear of them. They really are more afraid of you than you are of them.

Ok, not helpful at all.......but feeling chatty

 

[magicmouse2]

I have seen black racers around POR , and AK, and caught one by the tail. They help control the rodent problems. Unless you look for them you probably wont see one. I like reptiles

 

[Emme]

We did see one in the "river" at Port Orleans Riverside in November. They were trying to fish it out with these claw like hooks and put it in a bag. It kept getting away though and going around the rocks. The boat came so we never saw wether they caught it or not

When Discovery Island was opened I had a terrible scare We were walking along the island and had stopped to look at a swan or goose (who the heck remembers) well, some big bird, and her eggs. We were "oohing" and "aahhing" over the pretty bird and her lovely eggs. We moved about one foot forward when we hear this loud "PLOP" behind us! It sounded almost like someone had dropped a camera or something. I turn around and there coiled in a perfect circle was the biggest snake I had ever seen. It had FALLEN OUT OF A TREE ABOVE US Needless to say I was hysterical, out of control! The thing had literally missed me by a foot! My husband went and found a worker who informed us it wasn't poisonous and looked at me as I melted into a puddle of screams, tears, and plain old hysteria. My family and I were "rescued" from the island by one of those little Boston Whaler type boats and brought safely back to Magic Kingdom!!

They closed Discovery Island that same year

 

[ILoveDisney-Angie]

I saw one while getting off the dinosaur ride and one on the path to the petting zoo. I freaked both times. I am PETRIFIED of snakes. I actually have goose bumps while writing this post. I hope to goodness that I don't see another one this year. Up until last year I never really gave them a thought seeing as WDW is such a magical place...and magical places shouldn't have snakes!

 

[Goofyish]

I saw a Black Racer going across the path on the way to the bus stops at Epcot on my last trip to WDW (August 2003). I was only about 18 inches long and ignored everyone walking past.

 

[ILoveDisney-Angie]

I wonder if that is what I saw last year (black racer). What does it look like, what is it's length? Are they poisonous?

 

[sanibelover]

It's probably not a good idea to visit FLA if you don't like all kinds of critters. That said, the guest areas at WDW are probably some of the most criitter devoid places in the entire state of FLA. I really wouldn't worry about encountering too much in the way of animal wildlife - human wildlife on the other hand........

 

[ely3857]

Now that doesn't make me feel good. I am terrified of snakes and birds! Not to mention rabid bats! I think I will go hide in my closet and pray that there aren't any spiders in there! This is seriously creeping me out!

I am getting a bot more creeped out aswell now, I wish I'd never asked!!!



Jodie

 

[Stiff]

this is not a disney story, but....

I am also petrified of snakes...probably my worst fear

anyway, my in laws live on a mountain in northern central PA...they pretty much own the mountain with their house near the top. So the view is beautiful up there. I drove up there on night late from NC to meet up with my wife and son. The next morning, it was warm and I had left everything in the car since I arrived so late, so I went out to have a cigarette and get the bags (Ive since quit smoking )....anyway, I went out in a pair of shorts, nothing else. I decided to admire the view...big mistake.

I am standing at the edge of the driveway, barefoot, looking at the mountain ranges and I happen to look down and there next to me, less than a foot away is a very large, coiled RATTLESNAKE.....I slowly and quietly stepped away till I could get to a spot where I could start a full paced RUN. Inside I went white as a ghost.

my step-father in law went out and killed it with a shovel....that thing was HUGE and he said "man, you were right to be scared, this type of rattler is MEAN"

Im telling you I woke up NIGHTLY for MONTHS yelling about snakes...thats no joke....now when I go up there I wear boots and stay inside as much as possible.

 

[loriandmatt]

since we are all telling our snake stories......


yes there are snakes in florida

no there are not more now than before - they always had gobs of them and lots of other critters that some (most) would find creepy or dangerous

i can't put into words my fear of snakes (and now spiders - my father almost lost his leg, not to mention his life, because of a brown recluse spider bite 4 years ago) but that does not hinder me from vacationing (even camping) in Florida. I just keep my eyes open and watch where i am putting my feet.


that being said, the only snake i have ever personally seen in Florida (other than on display in a zoo or such) was a nice squished dead one right in front of our camping pad at FW. those are the best kind of snakes, you know, the dead ones!

(yea, i know....bla bla bla....they are good for the ecosystem....keep rodent populations down....i get all that, but they are creepy nasty and dangerous. i just don't like them.)

- lori

 

[ely3857]

(yea, i know....bla bla bla....they are good for the ecosystem....keep rodent populations down....i get all that, but they are creepy nasty and dangerous. i just don't like them.)

- lori

Glad somebody agrees with me!



Jodie

 

[Talking Hands]

FYI, there are 3 types of poisonous snakes in Florida, Cottonmouth, coral snake, diamond back rattler and pygmy rattler. I have neveer seen any of them in although I am sure they are there. Most that you will encounter are none poisonous. Just don't bother them and they won't bother you. And I am terrified of snakes.

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

FYI, there are 3 types of poisonous snakes in Florida, Cottonmouth, coral snake, diamond back rattler and pygmy rattler. I have neveer seen any of them in although I am sure they are there. Most that you will encounter are none poisonous. Just don't bother them and they won't bother you. And I am terrified of snakes.

Almost Right! There are a few more than you metioned, I've included a snake link for people looking for information, but here are the venomous snakes in Florida.

Copper Head
Cotton Mouth (aka Water Moccasin)
Eastern Diamond Back Rattler
Timber Rattler
Dusky Pygmy Rattler
Eastern Coral Snake (Remember, Red touch black, venom lack, Red touch yellow, Death to the fellow)


Here is the link that I promised you, it's got a lot of information, descriptions and interesting facts about the reptiles. http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/FL-GUIDE/Venomsnk.htm

I hope it helps

 

[Marseeya]

Stay out of the snake threads
stay out of the snake threads
stay OUT! OF! THE! SNAKE! THREADS!!!

 

[LindaR]

I made a post yesterday? about seeing a snake in the water hazard (16th hole) at Fantasia Gardens. This is our first time EVER seeing one at WDW. I understand and sympathize with the fear. I'm not afraid of snakes (thank goodness......we live in the desert and encounter them frequently) but I have the sames fear issues with mice.

Funny story......we were at WDW over spring break. My 16 yo daughter (major "city" girl) had a HUGE meltdown because she almost stepped on a rabbit (twice!) at CBR! They are so used to people that they don't scurry away! Then on a different occasion, she almost got the tail of a squirrel. Mind you, she LIKES the little lizards.........so I always had to walk in front of her so that the "killer rabbits" would attack me first! Oh, the sacrifices a mom has to make