Fwc Fish And Wildlife Research Institute issued the following announcement on Nov. 19.
On October 26th, Araks Ohanyan, an FWC Scrub Jay Biologist, was surveying a site in the Ocala National Forest when she came to a road intersection and spotted something in the middle of the road. As the biologists approached the critter, they recognized that it was rare, nonvenomous Florida pine snake swallowing a young eastern cottontail. After the snake finished its meal, it disappeared into the vegetation before reappearing and becoming quite curious about our biologist’s camera, allowing them to take some close-up shots before parting ways.
The Florida pine snake is one of the largest snakes in eastern North America and can grow up to 90 inches in length. It is a powerful constrictor and feeds on mammals, ground-dwelling birds, and bird eggs. It is adept at excavating the sand plugs of pocket gopher mounds and preying on them in their underground runways. It is listed as Threatened in Florida. If you think you have seen a Florida pine snake and have a photo of it, please fill out our Rare Snake Sightings form: https://app.myfwc.com/fwri/raresnakes/UserHome.aspx?id=.
Original source can be found here.
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