The health secretary wrangled two nonvenomous snakes while visiting Florida in a video that drew widespread attention.

Black racer snakes are known to be fast, with some reaching speeds of 8-10 mph, which is a pretty good clip, especially for a snake. They are also large snakes with an average length of 3-5 feet.

Here’s a guide to identifying Florida’s six native, venomous snakes and some non-venomous snakes they resemble.

In much of the eastern United States, it’s not uncommon to spot a snake slithering through the leaves, crossing a trail, or hiding near your shed. But knowing whether that snake is venomous or ...