A mistaken identity can cause an assortment of problems, especially for the subject of the incorrect assumption. The misidentified individual may be credited with negative attributes which have no basis in reality.
In fiction, a plot about erroneous identification has delivered many hours of entertainment for the readers. Even Hollywood has used the falsely accused in movies and television shows with an almost endless stream of plot twists.
During the summer’s leisure hours spent in panhandle Florida’s many natural settings, too often real-life mistaken identities result in harm coming to harmless creatures. Over 40 species of native snakes live in panhandle Florida and help maintain nature’s balance of nonhuman residents.
The summer is an active time for native snakes, and they can appear almost anywhere. None are interested in hunting people and, if possible, should be left to play their part in the environment. This banded water snake is too often confused with a cotton mouth water moccasin and killed.
Granted, for most of humanity snakes are not animals which generate much sympathy. Ever since these reptiles were credited with initiating the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, societal opinion has been vastly negative.
The fact that a few snakes are venomous has not helped matters. In north Florida there are only six native species capable of applying toxic fangs, and three of those are very rarely encountered.
Water moccasins, sometimes called cotton mouths, are the most commonly seen local snake with venom. When feeling threatened they will open their mouth wide and expose the snow-white lining of their maw.
Though baring a resemblance to a banded water snake, the cotton mouth water moccasin is different in appearance and behavior.
Given the abundant freshwater resources in north Florida, these excellent swimmers have plenty of places to live. They are also quite adept at life on dry land.
A curious snake that will defend itself if cornered, they do not chase people. Humans have never been on the menu for this legless carnivore, so there is no reason to pursue a person.
Banded water snakes also have the same general coloration and body shape as the moccasins, but none of the toxic capabilities. As their name implies, they too spend a majority of their lives in the same vicinity as moccasins.
Stealthy and silent with unblinking eyes, both serpents are usually overlooked because of their excellent camouflage which allows them to hide in plain sight. Unfortunately, when either is stumbled over the human reaction is usually fatal to the snake.
Another case of mistaken identification involves coral snakes and scarlet kingsnakes, which are both about the same size. Unlike moccasins and water snakes, both of these species are brightly colored.
Each is covered with bands of red, black and yellow, and there is the basis for the misidentification. Of course, there is the ditty, “Red touches yellow will kill a fellow, red touches black is a friend of Jack.”
Recollecting this rhyme when one of these snakes makes a surprise appearance may be challenging. Regretfully, the reaction of a startled person is too often “kill it now and identify it later”.
Unless there is an immediate and certain threat from a snake, no matter the species, the best option for all involved is to let the reptile retreat back to the wilds of the region. After all, the only good snake is one doing its job in the environment away from people.
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