In addition to being teaming with fish and infested with snakes, Lake Okeechobee in Florida is dotted with tourists.
Situated in the south-central region of south Florida, which is home to 34 native snake species and at least three invasive additions that have established breeding populations, is the “Big O,” also known as “Big Water” (derived from its Seminole name).
Although the number of characters at the largest lake in the state is undoubtedly smaller than in the surrounding area, many serpents have still been confirmed or are highly likely to exist there.
To learn more about Florida’s most snake-infested lake, let’s wade into the shallow, fresh waters of Okeechobee.
Where is Lake Okeechobee located?
Beyond these two informal designations, Lake Okeechobee is also known as “Florida’s inland sea.” This is due to its exceptional size and relative location on the Florida Peninsula (less than 50 miles west of West Palm Beach on the Atlantic Coast and little over 60 miles east of Fort Myers, close to the Gulf of Mexico).
Big O has a surface size of 730 square miles, despite being shallow (with an average depth of nine feet).
This makes it the second-biggest freshwater lake in the entire contiguous United States in addition to being the largest lake in Florida.
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Additionally, Lake Okeechobee is a part of two important recreational pathways: one on land and one on water. Regarding the former, the 154-mile Okeechobee Waterway centers around Big O.
Through the Caloosahatchee River in the west and the St. Lucie Canal in the east, this boating network spans the southern peninsula from Fort Myers to Stuart.
Its 110-mile, primarily paved circuit, which offers hikers and cyclists a trip atop the 35-foot-tall, 100-foot-wide Herbert Hoover Dike, also contributes to the 1,300-mile Florida National Scenic Trail.
Regarding further points of connection, the Kissimmee River, Fisheating Creek, and Taylor Creek are the three main natural rivers that feed Lake Okeechobee.
As for our subject, Big O is located just north of the Everglades, a true snake sanctuary that has garnered a lot of attention recently due to its uncontrollable Burmese python epidemic.
Lake Okeechobee’s Snakes
Florida Cottonmouth
The Florida cottonmouth (Agkistrodon conanti) is often frequently referred to as a water moccasin due to its semi-aquatic habitat. The body of this poisonous snake is large, measuring between 30 and 48 inches.
Initially light-colored with a yellow-tipped tail, juveniles eventually develop a combination of dark and light crossbands.
Eventually, adults might look nearly completely black. Naturally, the cottonmouth also exhibits a white, fleshy mouth when displaying its fangs, which is how it gets its name.
Every county is home to Florida cottonmouths, which like marshes and other bodies of water (like Lake Okeechobee).
Burmese Python
The recognized territory of the invasive Burmese python, which is constantly expanding and stretches horizontally from western Broward County to Collier County and south to Key Largo, reaches its northernmost point in Lake Okeechobee.
The average length of a Burmese python (Python bivittatus) captured in Florida is six to nine feet, but the greatest one ever captured in the Sunshine State was an incredible eighteen feet (and weighed 215 pounds!).
Watersnakes
Water snakes’ attraction to Lake Okeechobee’s abundant habitats is entirely understandable.
The southern watersnake (Nerodia fasciata), also known as the banded or Florida watersnake, the brown watersnake (Nerodia taxispilota), the Florida green watersnake (Nerodia floridana), and the striped swamp snake (Liodytes Allen), also known as the striped crayfish snake (due to its preferred food source), are some of the main inhabitants.
These snakes prefer to eat freshwater fish (more on this in a moment), are non-venomous, and are good swimmers (though they are not confined to the water).
Brahminy Blindsnake
The Brahminy blindsnake (Indotyphlops braminus) is another invasive snake species to be on the lookout for near Lake Okeechobee (and to report if observed).
Originally from southern Asia, this small (4.4 to 6.5 inches), slender, and glossy snake can be silver gray, charcoal gray, or even purple.
It arrived in Miami for the first time in the 1970s. In several parts of the southern peninsula, particularly the counties next to Big O, it has been confirmed.
These inquisitive serpents may be digging along the edge instead of heading for the water.
Fortunately, neither people nor pets are at risk from Brahminy blindsnakes because they are not poisonous. They are frequently confused for earthworms, in fact!
South Florida Mole Kingsnake
Our last snake of interest makes a concerted effort to stay out of the spotlight.
Only the peninsular region of Florida is home to the non-venomous South Florida mole kingsnake (Lampropeltis occipitolineata), which ranges from Brevard County in the north to Lake Okeechobee in the south.
This moderately big (between 30 and 42 inches), gray, brown, and tan snake with reddish-brown markings is rarely seen because it burrows.
But it seems logical that it would be attracted to the regions around Big O given its preference for agricultural lands.
