(麻豆淫院Org.com) -- As spring arrives, Floridians become more active outdoors -- and so do snakes.

Encountering one of these reptiles can be nerve-racking for anyone who isn鈥檛 snake-savvy, because the state is home to six venomous species, along with dozens of harmless ones.

But a new University of field guide can provide some peace of mind by making it easy to identify snakes based on their appearance.

Published this month, the Identification Guide to the Snakes of Florida is geared toward users with no prior experience, presenting basic information on 46 species, says author Steve Johnson, an assistant professor with UF鈥檚 Institute of Food and .

鈥淭he guides that are already out there are for people who are a little more astute biologically,鈥� said Johnson, at UF鈥檚 Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. 鈥淲e saw a need for an ID deck aimed at the lay person, who might spot a snake and have no idea what species it is.鈥�

The 138-page, ring-bound guide contains at least one color photo of each species, a map showing its range and text including a description, preferred habitat, size, diet and scientific name. Printed on heavy, water-resistant card stock, it鈥檚 rugged enough to carry anywhere and is available for $18 from or at 800-226-1764.

Florida鈥檚 six venomous snakes get special attention, including detailed information on their appearance, as well as tips on how to avoid them and what to do in a snakebite emergency.

The guide is divided into five sections, based on a snake鈥檚 overall coloration 鈥� whether it has diamonds, bands, blotches, stripes or solid color. Some species appear more than once because they have color variations or change appearance as they mature.

An example is the black racer, one of the state鈥檚 most common snakes, Johnson said. Adults are solid-colored, glossy black on top with a lighter belly. But juveniles are blotched, and are often mistaken for venomous pygmy rattlesnakes.

鈥淲e hope the snakes benefit from this deck, as well,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e figure if people can recognize nonvenomous species, they鈥檙e more likely to leave them be.鈥�

Besides depicting native snakes, the guide covers animals often mistaken for snakes, such as glass lizards. It also includes the most significant invasive snake species in Florida, such as the Burmese python, and gives instructions on reporting them.

The guide came about because Johnson and co-author Monica McGarrity, a biological scientist at the Plant City center, received so many questions about snakes at the office and during the snake safety presentations they make for schools, government organizations and other groups.

鈥淲hen we go out to give presentations we talk to people and a lot of them have specifically asked for something like this,鈥� McGarrity said.

The guide is aimed at all Floridians, but is especially helpful for newcomers, who may not be as familiar with the state鈥檚 wildlife.
For more, visit .shtml" target="_blank">ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/dealin 鈥� _.shtml .

Provided by University of Florida