The snake, incidentally, was a cottonmouth water moccasin. Its scientific name is Agkistrodon piscivorous conanti . Known to be an aggressive snake, it is found throughout Florida, with a range extending north to Virginia and west to Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Its habitat encompasses wetlands and waterways, such as streams, springs, rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, sloughs, reservoirs, retention pools, canals, and even roadside ditches. Occasionally it can be found rather far from the water, and has been found in trees and bushes.
Cottonmouths feed primarily on fish, frogs, mice, rats, and other small mammals.
Often, cottonmouths are confused with water snakes, non-poisonous snakes who share the same habitats. These harmless water snakes are often killed out of fear and ignorance. Actually, cottonmouths are also often killed for the same reasons. Except for self defense or positive identification in the case of snakebite, it is best to leave all snakes alone. Snakes help keep the environment in balance.