Overview
- Heavy rain and rising Saint Johns River levels have pushed cottonmouths from wetlands onto higher ground across Brevard County.
- Residents and Camp Holly staff report multiple sightings, including snakes in a Melbourne parking lot near U.S. 192.
- FWC identifies cottonmouths as native, venomous, semi-aquatic snakes that usually stay near water but roam more during flooding.
- Officials and experts say the species can be dangerous yet is typically not aggressive, and any bite requires immediate medical care.
- Authorities have not released recent bite statistics or a timeline for when snake activity will return to normal.