Not So Magical! Park Visitor Discovers a Snake Slithering Inside of Disney World

The Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf attraction in Disney World has two 18-hole miniature golf adventures based on Disney’s classic animated film Fantasia. There are twirling obstacles, tutu-clad hippos, broomsticks that can soak you, and pirouetting ostriches. However, in January 2023, parkgoers also got to see a snake and shared their experience on Twitter asking what species the snake could be. The picture does not show the entire snake so it is difficult to be certain. However, several opinions were expressed!  Most people thought that it was either a banded water snake or a juvenile cottonmouth snake (also called a water moccasin) but these snakes present very different levels of risk to humans!

Water Moccasins Are Venomous

Water moccasins and cottonmouth snakes are the same species which is Agkistrodon piscivorus. It is a common misconception that they are different types of snakes. These snakes are a type of pit viper and are native to the southeastern United States. Water moccasins are the only semi-aquatic pit viper species and the only venomous water snake in North America. They are usually around 30 inches long but can grow much longer and can weigh up to 10 pounds.

Even though they are venomous snakes, they do not go out of their way to attack humans. They would prefer to avoid confrontation if they can. However, when they do bite, they strike quickly and clamp tightly onto your body delivering venom through their fangs. This venom contains a hemotoxin that destroys blood cells and interferes with clotting so the victim will often suffer hemorrhaging.

Banded Water Snakes Are Harmless

Banded water snakes are not venomous and are found in along the United States Coastal Plain from North Carolina to Southwest Alabama as well as parts of Arizona, Florida, and Texas.

They like to live near streams and ponds that are populated with vegetation. They can stay underwater for two hours or longer but also like to lounge on logs near the water. Their diet consists mainly of frogs, fish and small birds.

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There are three different subspecies of banded water snake that each has a different geographical distribution. One is the Florida water snake (Nerodia fasciata pictiventris). The important fact is that they are non-venomous and do not present a risk to humans.

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