Snakes of Cape Coral

The Florida Kingsnake is a beautiful, docile reptile.  Typically, adults are 3-4 ft.  Unfortunately, these attributes make it highly prized by collectors, and it has become quite rare.  I picked up the one shown here in the NW Cape, and it made no fuss when I drove it to my house for a photograph. 

Florida King Snake

Snakes get a lot of bad press, going all the way back to the Bible.  Also, some are venomous, and many bite when handled, but not all.  But you must give them their due.  Without legs, they can climb, swim, and are adept hunters.  There are dozens of species in our area.  I will not attempt to mention them all, concentrating on some of the most common or interesting species.

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is relatively rare, and to be avoided.  It is thick-bodied and large, typically 3-7 ft, with a record length of 8 ft.  This one was about 3.5 feet (I did not attempt to measure it!), from the south side of Crystal Lake.  If you see one, just leave it alone and let it go its way.  Most snakebites result from people getting involved with the snake in some manner.

Eastern Diamondback SnakeSouthern Black Racer

The Southern Black Racer is probably the most familiar snake in the area, often found in yards.  Its shiny black color and thin body make for easy identification, as does its speed (for a snake), for which it is named.  Up to 5 ft, but usually 3-4.

The Yellow Rat Snake is another docile snake that is easily handled, as is the case with most rat snakes.  If you are inclined to keep a local snake as a pet, this species is a good choice.  Usually 3-5 feet long; record 7.25 feet.  Often found around structures.  They commonly feed on lizards, frogs, rodents, and birds and their eggs.

Yellow Rat SnakeFlorida Brown Snake

The Florida Brown Snake in this (fuzzy) picture is an adult found swimming in my pool.  The maximum size if about 19 inches, thus being one of our smaller snakes.  They are common and found in several forms (subspecies) throughout the middle and eastern United States.

The Eastern Garter Snake is widespread in the eastern portions of the US and southern Canada.  For those from the north, this is likely to be the snake you saw most often.  Like many water snakes, they do not tolerate handling and will struggle, bite, defecate, release a smelly musk, and do whatever else they can to convince you to release them.  They are moderately sized, up to 4 feet, but usually 2-3.  The one in the photo is also from my pool, which seems to be something of a snake trap.

Eastern Garter SnakeFlowerpot Snake

The Flowerpot Snake, also called the Brahminy Blind Snake, is one of many non-native species of animals in Cape Coral (more on that later in another post), in this case originally from southern Asia.  It gained its worldwide distribution through its presence in the soil of potted plants, hence its name.  It spread rapidly partly due to reproduction by parthenogenesis (it is an all-female species), reproduction that does not require fertilization to produce offspring.  Its body form and small size (usually less than 6 inches) cause it to often be mistaken for an earthworm.  Close inspection will reveal its scales.  I find them frequently drowned in my pool, falling in from adjacent planters.

The Eastern Kingsnake in another species that is easy to handle.  Its name derives from the fact that it will eat other snakes, including rattlesnakes.  For our area, this large snake reaching up to nearly 7 feet, although typically 4-5.  The pattern is the source of a local name in some areas-the Chain Snake.

Eastern King Snake

If you have an inherent fear of snakes, that fear would be best replaced by respect.  They will run away from you if possible, or stand their ground, but they will not pursue you or lurk under your bed waiting for you to put your feet down in the middle of the night (not often, anyway).  And they are important cogs in our wild and suburban ecosystems in the NW Cape.

Gordon R. Ultsch, Ph.D.

What is the speed limit on Cape Coral's canals?

Local Resident Tom Dawson's - Letter to the Editor of the Breeze

On March 18, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission announced the state has "passed the mark of one million registered recreational vessels across the state" and here in Lee County, at the end of 2021, there were 50,304 registered recreational vessels.

This increase in boats and boaters along with the increase in new residents on the Gulf-access canals in Cape Coral is creating a lot of tension over what the speed limit is for boats on those canals. As any boater knows the canals are filled with signs that say "Idle Speed No Wake." If there are these signs, it must be true?

Even our city council believed it should be true, so back in 2020 they added an ordinance to Chapter 10 of the Land, Waterway Use Restrictions. In Section 10-10 (b) it says: "The following areas are hereby designated as idle speed zones: (1) Any area which has been duly designated as a manatee sanctuary area or posted as an idle speed zone."

Unfortunately, our city council members and the city attorney at the time either misunderstood or never bothered to read the applicable State of Florida codes governing Manatee Protection Zones. In Florida Administrative Code 68C-22.005 (d) 5. It clearly states; "Slow Speed (All Year) …. including the residential canals of Cape Coral."

Further reading of the Florida codes says that a municipality can petition the state for a different speed limit under certain conditions in Manatee Protect Zones. The conditions don't include blanket speed limits for the entire Gulf access canal system. However, the state would approve a request for an idle speed zone within 300 feet of either a boat launch area or fuel dock.

In the spring of 2020, the city of Cape Coral, under pressure from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, put a notice in the city's quarterly newsletter "On The Move" titled "Outdated Signage in Local Waterways to Be Removed." You can read the notice yourself; it can be found on the city's website on the Community Newsletter page. Some key passages include:

"State law prohibits the placement of any signage in the waters of the state without a state permit." Meaning all signs, private and city posted, that say, "Idle Speed No Wake" must come down. The city also admitted that, "The City's tidal waterways are manatee speed zones and are marked appropriately with "Slow Speed/Minimum Wake" signage at the entrance to our canals from the river." The Gulf access canals are "tidal waterways" and as anyone who lives on them knows manatees forage for food in those canals.

There is a legal definition for "Slow Speed/Minimum Wake" - unfortunately many boaters and canal residents are not familiar with it. The state in F.A.C. Rule 68C-22.002 (4) defines it as follows:

"Slow speed requires that a vessel be fully off plane and completely settled into the water. The vessel must then proceed at a speed which is reasonable and prudent under the prevailing circumstances so as to avoid the creation of an excessive wake or other hazardous condition which endangers or is likely to endanger other vessels or other persons using the waterway. Due to the different speeds at which vessels of different sizes and configurations may travel while in compliance, there is no specific numeric speed assigned to Slow Speed."

The city has a Waterway Advisory Board and in my remarks to the board last September, I advised that information and education were keys to addressing many of our boating related problems. The State of Florida only mandates basic boater education classes for those people born on or after Jan. 1, 1988. We know the bulk of our new residents don't meet the requirement so they get a boat and hit the waters without learning the rules.

A city employee told the Waterway Advisor Board it can do nothing to remove the illegal speed limit signs in the canals that private residents have on their property. Beyond the article mentioned previously, the city has not taken any substantive measures to inform canal residents and boaters the current rules and regulations. Even the current "Canal Owner's Manual" which was written in 2009 doesn't address any boating rules and regulations.

The following are some of the recommendations made to the city's Waterway Advisory Board

1. Repeal city ordinance 10-10 (b) and harmonize the city regulation with one that mirrors F.A.C. 68C-22.005 (d) 5. "Slow Speed (All Year) - including the residential canals of Cape Coral."
2. Add the state's definition of Slow Speed Minimum Wake to city ordinance 10-10.
3. Notify all canal homeowners and boaters what the legal speed limit is and post this information online.
4. Notify all canal homeowners the need to take down all of the illegal "Idle Speed No Wake"signs on their property.
5. Obtain a permission from the state to establish "Idle Speed No Wake Zones"at boat ramps and gas docks.

Finally, for all boaters new and old in Cape Coral learn all the boating rules and regulations by taking an approved Boating Safety Course and earning your State of Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card. This course covers all of the Federal, and State regulations along with boating basics that Florida boaters need to know. A listing of approved course providers is available at myfwc.com.

Tom Dawson

Cape Coral

Member Issues Addressed

Members: Councilmember Keith Long (District 6) has appraised me on two issues related to issues you have raised with the NWNA. The first is regarding Burnt Store Road.  Many of you have raised concerns regarding the intersection of BSR and Tropicana Parkway. Accidents and near misses are frequent. CM Long is aware of your concerns and is bringing them to the attention of the City and County - keep in mind, Lee County has jurisdiction over BSR.  You may have noticed additional police presence in the area of BSR. This is directly related to residents raising concerns over safety in the area. Additionally, changes have been made to the Embers / BSR intersection during construction to prevent accidents.  Several accidents have occurred at that intersection as a result of the construction and speeding, so changes during construction were warranted. Any inconvenience caused by the devices installed to prevent right-angle collisions is outweighed by the potential prevention of a severe crash.  Please continue to be cautious as you drive through the construction area on BSR.   Second, many of you have raised concerns about ATV use on city streets and in the Yucca Pens Preserve. Safety hazards and noise are the two symptoms residents who live in the inflicted areas have to endure. The Cape Coral Police Department has increased patrols in those areas and will write citations for illegal use. Please keep in mind, ATV use on a city street is illegal. ATV use on private, vacant lots is also illegal.  Additionally, the Lee County Sherriff's Department and the Cape Coral Police Department are partnering to increase patrols and presence in the Yucca Pens Preserve to curb incidents.  CM Long continues to raise these and other issues to the proper parties. If it is convenient for you, please continue to raise your concerns to the NWNA and we will bring the issues forward. John Bashaw (920) 449-2000

Burnt Store Road Construction Progress

The NWNA Webmaster, Paul Dworianyn, gives us an update on the progress being made along Burnt Store Road from Pine Island Road to Embers Parkway.

New Federal Boating Law Starts April 1, 2021

Engine Cut Off Switch Requirements

A new federal law requiring the use of Engine Cut Off Switches for some boats built in January 2020 or later goes into effect April 1, 2021. It applies to some boats less than 26 feet operating at plane or above displacement speed. Some boats are excluded.

Read the attached article for all of the details and check to see if your boat requires an Engine Cut Off Switch. Also, check out the US Coast Guard website in the article's link for more information.

Please make sure to read the entire BoatUS article and the US Coast Guard FAQs in the Bulletin Link. It's the safest way to ensure compliance and avoid a citation. Bottom line - if you have an Engine Cut-Off Switch on your boat, use it!

New Boating Law Requirements

Burnt Store Road Lighting Expedited

On April 16th 2019, at the Lee County Commissioners' meeting, the Northwest Cape Coral Neighborhood Association (NWNA) petitioned the Commissioners to expedite the installation of lights on the newly constructed Burnt Store Rd and to enhance the lighting plan for that construction.  The NWNA felt that the increased lighting would help to alleviate numerous safety issues.

Watch President John Jacobs Address the Commissioners

At that time, the Commissioners moved to have the county staff bring the details and cost back for consideration.

The NWNA was subsequently invited back to speak at their June 18^th meeting, where, during 3 minutes of public Input, we explained the dangers of the dark highway, sidewalks, crosswalks and multiuse paths that directly impact our residents.. 

The commissioners unanimously approved to adopt the County staff's recommendations, which include:

• Moving the lighting installation date from late 2020 to September 2019.
• Installing 132 lights on the North and Central sections from Van Buren to Tropicana.
• Approval of lighting budget of $1,707,359 for the enhanced lighting, which will be funded by the Bridge Toll Fund.

A very warm thank you to the Board of Lee County Commissioners and the County Staff for taking action in this matter.  They have been exceptional in working in partnership with our Association.

Lighting and Sidewalks in NW Cape

At the Cape Coral City Council meeting on May x, John Jacobs spoke regarding the issue of inadequate street lighting and sidewalks in the Northwest Cape area.

President John Jacobs speaks to Cape Coral City Council regarding inufficient lighting and sidewalks

Feedback that we have received from the City Leaders indicates that several positive plans are being developed by the City Management to improve budgeting, for street lighting and sidewalks in the Northwest Cape area.