what species

Question
hello i live in orlando florida near lake apopka area we are about 1/2 a mile away from the lake and while outside doing yardwork i have come across 2 about a footlong snakes they are for the most part dark in color and have gray blothces im not sure what species it is but when cornered it did curl up in the s shape and strike but it also wiggled its tail as if it were a rattler please help me if you can thak you very much

Answer
There is just far too many snakes that this could be. I would have to have pictures. It could have been a water moccasin, or one of many, many species of colubrid non-venomous snakes that live in or near the water. Even non-venomous snakes will strike and take on a menacing posture when threatened, and they tend to be more aggressive about it for the very reason that they are not venomous.

Many snakes will mimic rattlesnake postures to scare away predators. Beating the tail against the ground or leaves is a common trick for not only moccasin or copperhead, but kingsnakes, gopher snakes, and many others. A water moccasin, or cottonmouth, usually has a very robust stout build, being quite broad for it's length, and when threatened might beat it's tail against the ground, and will display the cotton white color of it's mouth.

A rattlesnake will tend to have it's tail elevated above ground to get the best rattle. Snakes that merely are performing a rattlesnake impersonation will usually have the tail in contact with the ground in order to have something to beat it against and make noise. This does not mean that it is non-venomous, it just means it's not a rattlesnake.