Water Moccasin Snake - Snake Facts and Information Water Moccasin Snake Home » Species » Water Moccasin Snake Water Moccasin Snake Water Moccasin Snake – Agkistrodon piscivorus Introduction The Water Moccasin Snake or cottonmouth is a type of pit viper. They can give a bite that is very painful and it could be deadly in extreme cases. They spend most of their time in the water and when people have gone there to bath or to fish they are bitten. They have a very powerful type of venom. Description The adults are about 32 inches in length. The males are typically longer which is different for most species of snakes. In some locations they do grow about 71 inches but this isn’t the norm. The largest of all has been verified at 74 inches and it was in a Philadelphia zoo until it died. They head is very long with a blunt snout. They have a rim on the top of the head that protrudes over the mouth. They can vary in coloration depending on where they live. They need to be able to be well hidden in their environment. They can be brown, black, olive green, yellow, and gray.

The various colorations result in the Water Moccasin Snake often being mistaken for other species of snakes. They have various bands of color on the body and the face with a white belly. As they get older the bands of color start to fade. When you see one that is very dark in color and no bands it can indicate you are looking at a much older type of Water Moccasin Snake. Distribution Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana are some of the common locations in the United States where you will find this species of snake. They do well in a wide variety of environments. As long as they have access to water and a food supply they should be just fine. Behavior They will coil and show fangs when they are feeling threatened. It is important to retreat at that point or they will bite. This is a semi aquatic type of viper and it will look for food in the water. They are very strong swimmers and have been able to successfully reach various islands on the other sides of the original shore. It can be spend much time in the water. Even small creeks can be a source of habitat for them. They prefer water that doesn’t move very fast though. They also tend to stick with water sources that are warm.

Water Moccasin Snake – Agkistrodon piscivorus Diet /Feeding Fish and frogs make up the biggest part of the diet for the Water Moccasin Snake. They will eat anything that they can find though as they are quite opportunistic. They will eat mainly small types of prey but they can consume large elements when necessary. Reproduction The males are attracted to the females during the matting season. Other than that these are isolated living creatures. The females are usually receptive to such advances but not always. They can have litters of 6 to 8 at a time. The females leave them to care for themselves after they arrive. They are born in late August or late September. They will eat small frogs for the first few months of life. Venomous Bite /Danger to Humans The Water Moccasin Snake is believed to be one of the most dangerous snakes out there. The venom doesn’t cause severe reactions though as it doesn’t have any neurotoxins in it. However, the risk of an infection is very great. It is important to seek immediate medical attention from such a bite. When that is done there is very little chance that you won’t make a full recovery. Categories Is it Really a Water Moccasin?

By Scott Matthew Quint and Gerry Salmon When you think of snake misidentification you tend to think about the confusion between Coral Snakes and Scarlet and Scarlet King Snakes . However, the most common snake misidentification that occurs is between the Water Moccasin (Cottonmouth) and virtually any snake found in or near the water. The purpose of this article is to help you identify what is and what is not a Water Moccasin. A secondary aim is to dispel some of the myths of Water Moccasin behavior. The Water Moccasin is a dangerously venomous snake found through most of the Coastal Plains, ranging as far north as Virginia. As it's name implies, it is a snake that lives in and around water. There are two subspecies that occur in the Coastal Plains, both are similar in outward appearance and their differences are irrelevant to this article. Aside from the Water Moccasin there are many other aquatic or semi-aquatic snakes in the Coastal Plains, none of which are dangerous. The fact is that there are over 20 varieties of snake in the Coastal Plains that make a living around the water and only one is the Water Moccasin.

Many of these snakes have similarities, though, it really doesn't seem to matter how DIS-similar they are to the Water Moccasin because the only criteria that seems to make any difference to the lay-observer is that fact that the snake was near the water. When observing snakes near aquatic habitats, they may or may not be Water Moccasins. That being said, it is a conceeded fact that Water Mocasins are very common. However, several of the other species that share its habitat are just as or more common. Be that as it may, some of the snakes observed will be Water Moccasins, so the observer should be careful. Always stick to the principle of not approaching any unfamiliar animal. The snake will not approach you, so your decision will directly determine the dangerousness of the encounter. It is often rumored that Water Moccasins are extremely aggressive and will chase a humans that comes too near. That complete hogwash. Water Moccasins are large-looking snakes. A 30 inch Water Moccasin will look larger than it really is because of its girth. In fact, snakes over 36 inches are uncommon, but eye-witness accounts of them abound.

All of the other aquatic snakes (I will group them all under the term "aquatic snakes" even though this is a coarse description) are more slender, though some species of water snake such as the Brown Water Snake (Nerodia taxispilota) can be fairly hefty at large size. Even so, a 36 inch Water Moccasin will be a thicker animal than even a 5 foot water snake. A Water Moccasin seen from a distance away will look like a big snake. Water Moccasins behave differently than other aquatic snakes. All will flee given the opportunity, but Water Moccasins will only flee if they sense that they can reasonably get away. A 30 inch Water Moccasin on a swamp road in SC Photo by Gerry Salmon Water Moccasin Snake Information | Animals - mom.me Water Moccasin Snake Information Water moccasins rely on sight to track down prey animals. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images The water moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus) is a type of venomous snake that resides in the United States only.

These thick and sturdy reptiles are also commonly known as "cottonmouths" -- a nod to the conspicuous whiteness of the insides of their mouths. Water moccasins, for the most part, are busiest during the nighttime. Physical Appearance These semi-aquatic creatures are usually between 2 and 4 feet long. Male water moccasins are bigger than the females. Both genders appear in numerous different colors and color schemes, including black, brown and yellowish-brown. Water moccasins have dark and wide banding on their bodies -- some more prominent than others. Their heads are shaped similarly to triangles. Natural Habitat Water moccasins are prevalent in the southern and Midwestern parts of the United States, from Georgia to Illinois. These independent snakes are abundant in freshwater settings and are a fixture in many lakes, ponds, wetlands, sloughs, floodplains, creeks, bayous, swamps, ditches, marshes and bayheads within their geographic region. Water moccasins also often camp out on agricultural sites close to slow streams or marshes, since they prefer damp environments.

Breeding Water moccasins are capable of reproducing at any time, although the most reproductive activity takes place in the spring, in both April and May. The females are pregnant for roughly five months, with birthing intervals of around two to three years. They usually bear between five and nine offspring at once. Since these reptiles are oviviparous, their youngsters usually hatch while still inside of their mothers' bodies. Diet Water moccasins are flesh eaters, and the bulk of their menu consists of fish and mammals. These snakes routinely consume birds, rotting carcass remains, bugs, eggs, amphibians and other reptiles -- think juvenile alligators. Water moccasins occasionally even dine on the smaller members of their own species -- in true cannibalistic style. They are opportunistic when it comes to food, and therefore are in no way selective about mealtime options. White Mouths These pit vipers broadly open up their mouths when they're feeling protective and frightened. If these snakes are in defensive mode over a potential predator, they attempt to ward the other party away by showing off their white mouths.

Although water moccasins are venomous, they do not usually bite unless someone steps over their bodies or tries to hold them. Apart from attempts to drive predators off with their mouth displays, they also possess scent glands that emit aggressively unpleasant odors. Some of the species' major predator threats are people, birds of prey, raccoons, house cats and snapping turtles. Facts About Water Moccasin (Cottonmouth) Snakes Facts About Water Moccasin (Cottonmouth) Snakes By Jessie Szalay, Live Science Contributor | November 21, 2014 10:50pm ET MORE Cottonmouth snakes, like all pit vipers, have heat-sensing pits on their faces, between their eyes and nostrils. Credit: Rob Hainer | Shutterstock The water moccasin, North America's only venomous water snake, has a distinctive blocky, triangular head; a thick body; and a dangerous bite. Water moccasins rarely bite humans, however, and only attack when threatened. They are semiaquatic, so they're happy both swimming in water and basking on land in their native range in the southeastern United States.

Both "water moccasin" and "cottonmouth" are common names for Agkistrodon piscivorus, according to Sara Viernum , a herpetologist based in Madison, Wisconsin. "The name 'cottonmouth' comes from the white coloration of the inside of the snake's mouth," she said. Other local names include black moccasin, gaper, mangrove rattler, snap jaw, stub-tail snake, swamp lion, trap jaw, water mamba and water pilot. Water moccasins are pit vipers, like copperheads and rattlesnakes. "Like all pit vipers, [they] have heat-sensing facial pits between their eyes and nostrils," Viernum said. These pits are able to detect minute differences in temperatures so that the snake can accurately strike the source of heat, which is often potential prey. Characteristics Water moccasins are relatively large, often ranging from 2 to 4 feet (61 to 122 centimeters) long, according to the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory . They have large jowls, due to their venom glands, and "cat-eye" pupils.

Water moccasins have dark stripes by each nostril and pale snouts, which can be helpful in identifying features. Water moccasins' large, triangular heads are distinct from their thinner necks, unlike many other snakes that have no distinctive neck, according to the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida. Their thick, muscular bodies are stout for their length and are covered in keeled, or ridged, scales. Their coloration varies from dark brown or black to olive, banded brown or yellow. Their bellies are paler than their backs. Young cottonmouth snakes have striking patterns that fade with age. Credit: Leighton Photography & Imaging Shutterstock Young water moccasins look different than adults. "Juveniles and young adults have bands across their bodies and are lighter brown," Viernum said. Their patterns, which can be striking, fade or are lost as they age. Viernum described another interesting characteristic of juvenile cottonmouths. "The juveniles have bright-yellow tail tips that they use as a caudal lure to attract prey.

They undulate the tail tip slowly back and forth to lure prey, such as frogs, within striking distance." Water moccasins are often confused with nonvenomous snakes, leading to the death of many harmless snakes. According to the Virginia Herpetological Society, one such species is the northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon). It looks similar, but the crossbands on the back of the snake do not widen at the ends. Another snake often mistaken for the cottonmouth is the nonvenomous brown water snake (Nerodia taxispilota), which has most of its body below the water when in motion and only the head showing when it's motionless, unlike the cottonmouth, whose entire body is on the surface of the water. Viernum offered advice on how to tell the types of snakes apart: "Nonvenomous water snakes have round pupils, whereas cottonmouths have vertical, catlike pupils. Cottonmouths also have a triangular head, and nonvenomous snakes have a more slender, elliptical head shape," she said.

But these snakes can be tricky, and the head shape bears a second look because "most nonvenomous snakes can flatten out their head, which causes them to take on a more triangular appearance. "Like all pit vipers, cottonmouths have heat-sensing facial pits between their eyes and nostrils, but nonvenomous snakes lack these pits," she added. "Cottonmouths have a single row of scales after the anal plate on the underside of their tail, and most nonvenomous snakes have a double row of these scales." Habitat According to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park , water moccasins live in the southeastern United States, from southern Virginia to Florida to eastern Texas. Water moccasins may be found swimming in swamps, marshes, drainage ditches, and at the edges of ponds, lakes and streams. On land, they're found near water and fields. They like to sun themselves on branches, stones and logs near the water's edge. Basking keeps up their body temperature, which chills quickly in water, according to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Habits Water moccasins swim close to the top of the water, with their heads out.

According to the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, they can be seen year-round, both during the day and at night, but they primarily hunt after dark, especially in the summer. Water moccasins eat fish; small mammals; birds; amphibians; reptiles such as lizards, baby alligators and turtles; and other snakes, including smaller water moccasins. A water moccasin eats a bullfrog. The snake's diet consists of fish, small mammals, birds and amphibians; reptiles such as lizards, baby alligators and turtles; and other snakes, including smaller water moccasins. Credit: Paul S. Wolf Shutterstock Water moccasins mate in spring. According to the University of Michigan's Museum of Zoology Animal Diversity Web , during the mating process, males slither around, waving their tails in an attempt to lure the females away from other suitors. The males also fight each other. Water moccasins are ovoviviparous, which means that eggs incubate inside the mother's body. Females give birth to live young every two to three years, in litters of about 10 to 20 babies. The gestation period lasts three to four months.

Babies are born brightly colored and take off on their own as soon as they're born. Parents do not care for them. Classification/taxonomy There are three subspecies of water moccasin: western, Florida and eastern cottonmouths. According to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), the taxonomy of cottonmouths is: Kingdom: Animalia Subfamily: Crotalinae Genus & species: Agkistrodon piscivorus Subspecies: Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti (Florida cottonmouth), Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma (Western cottonmouth), Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus (Eastern cottonmouth) Behaviors Water moccasins have a reputation for being aggressive, but in reality, they rarely bite humans. They will, however, stand their ground, unlike many nonvenomous water snakes that flee from threats, according to the Virginia Herpetological Society . Viernum described water moccasin's most distinctive defense behavior: "When a cottonmouth feels threatened, it will coil its body and open its mouth wide to expose the white coloration of the inside of its mouth.

The white color can be a striking visible display, especially in older adults, whose body colors are dark brown to almost black … Exposing the white of the mouth serves as a warning signal to potential predators." Bite Water moccasins' venom is potent. "Cottonmouth venom is composed mainly of hemotoxins that break down blood cells, preventing the blood from clotting or coagulating," Viernum said. The results can be serious or even deadly, though Viernum and other experts emphasize that fatalities are very rare. Viernum further described the effects of the bite, saying that the hemotoxins lead to "hemorrhaging throughout the circulatory system wherever the venom has spread," she said. "Envenomation from a cottonmouth can lead to temporary and/or permanent tissue and muscle damage; loss of an extremity, depending on the location of the bite; internal bleeding; and extreme pain around the injection area," Viernum added. Anyone suffering from a water-moccasin bite should seek medical attention immediately. Antivenin is available. Additional resources The Virginia Herpetological Society offers a guide to cottonmouths and harmless look-alike snakes .

Learn more about Sara Viernum's work at her website, The Wandering Herpetologist . Editor's Recommendations Cottonmouth Snake Information & Facts Contact Cottonmouth Snake Information & Facts Cottonmouth Appearance: Cottonmouth snakes, otherwise known as water moccasins, are a medium sized snake, often growing to be four feet in length, and I've even seen up to five feet. They are generally a dark shade of brown or a dull black and will occasionally have lighter banding visible on their sides. The younger snakes have lighter color and more distinct patterns. Click here for several more photographs , including juvenile cottonmouths. The body of this snake is considered to be bulky with a distinct neck going into a relatively large, triangular head. The tail also tapers off quickly at the end of the body, from fat to thin. Like most pit vipers, the cottonmouth has pupils which are shaped like slits. This snake is considered very venomous, producing a toxin which prohibits the ability of the blood to clot while destroying tissue on a cellular level. Any area that comes in contact with water moccasin venom will begin to hemorrhage, giving the name "cytotoxic" (similar to ‘hemotoxic’ ) to this type of poison.

Cottonmouth habitat and behavior: Cottonmouths are semi-aquatic snakes, meaning they spend the majority of their lives in the water. They are found predominately in the southern part of the United States, including all of Florida and up the coast, and in the mid south, up the Mississippi River system. living in and near small and large bodies of water. Water moccasins are often mistaken for non-venomous brown water snakes, one of the reasons they are particularly lethal. Like all pit vipers, the cottonmouth snake has two heat sensing pits located between the eyes and the nostrils. These pits allow the snake to pinpoint live prey and to strike without the need of a visual. This hunting adaptation is particularly useful after dark when most animals’ bodies are warmer than the air around them. Hunting, and most of the snake’s activities, takes place during the night. Because of this, and because the water moccasin spends much of its time in the water, the snake spends a considerable amount of time basking in the sun. The cool water saps the snake’s body temperature much faster than land bound serpents. Basking is an efficient way to regulate body temperature.

Female snakes will give birth to litters of up to ten live snakes after the spring mating season. The babies are born from eggs which are hatched inside of the female snake and are not developed in a uterus like mammalian animals. Like almost all other reptiles, baby snakes are on their own as soon as they are born. Cottonmouth diet: The cottonmouth eats a large variety of wildlife. Frogs, salamanders, fish, other snakes, birds, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and a host of other small creatures are all fair game to the snake. When a prey animal is detected, the cottonmouth will strike, holding its victim for a moment to allow the full injection of venom to take place. Once that happens, the snake immediately releases its prey to limit the amount of retaliation, especially from strong mammals. If the prey escapes and runs away, the snake will track it by smell and consume it once it is dead. Like the copperhead snake, young cottonmouths will use their tails to lure amphibians to them. Once the unsuspecting frog or salamander is close enough, the baby cottonmouth snake will strike. This method of attracting prey is called ‘caudal luring’.

Cottonmouth facts: The cottonmouth snake gets its name from the defense position the snake takes when it feels threatened. When antagonized, the cottonmouth will coil up and display its fangs, revealing the pale white skin inside of the mouth. Cottonmouths are very buoyant, with most of their bodies visible when they swim. Other, non-venomous water snakes will swim with their bodies completely submerged except for the head. These snakes can and will attack underwater. During the winter, cottonmouths will hibernate, sometimes sharing dens with other venomous snakes. In consistently warm climates, the cottonmouth has been known to not hibernate at all. Commonly thought of as an aggressive snake, the cottonmouth’s reputation has been greatly exaggerated. If given the chance, the snake will flee before it will pose to strike. The origins of the title ‘water moccasin’ are unknown, though it is speculated that name comes from the leather-like coloration of the snakes or the silent movement akin to that of moccasin wearing Native Americans. Below are some other species of snake that may look like a XXX: Banded Water Snake When do Cottonmouths give birth?

Many people don't know: does the cottonmouth snake lay eggs or give birth to live young? The answer is that they give birth to live young! Usually about ten, but up to twenty, little baby cottonmouth snakes, each about ten inches long. That's how big baby cottonmouth snakes are at birth. Since they don't hatch from eggs, the mother snake is present when they are born, but they then abandon the young, despite some claims that they stick around to protect their offspring. When do they have the young? Usually in August or September. The young are also dangerous, so keep an eye out in late summer! Why is a water moccasin called cotton mouth - The water moccosin snake, one of the deadly vipers of North America, has a secondary name, one that was given to it for identification purposes. Early settlers were warned of the water moccosin by Native Americans, the culture that is credited for giving the snake its original name. when travelers started fording rivers and deep streams, the danger of the water moccasin became very real. To spread the word in a more reliable manner, the name cotton mouth was given to the snake.

This is because, when harassed, the snake will curl up and bare its fangs, exposing its pale, white mouth. The name cotton mouth was far easier to identify with danger than the poorly descriptive ‘water moccasin’. If you want to read more, check out Photographs of Water Moccasin . Both terms are still used today to refer to the water-loving serpent. Cotton mouths are often mistaken for common brown water snakes which are nonvenomous. There is no reason to handle a cotton mouth. If you see one sunning itself on the bank, leave it alone. More people are bitten by venomous snakes in an effort to kill them than are bitten from stumbling on the animal by accident. Vipers have the ability to strike with alarming speed and over substantial distance. Many people want to know how to kill a Cottonmouth snake, but you don't need to. The best way to get rid of Cottonmouths is to simply leave them alone. You can also use a Cottonmouth trap to catch them - that's one of the best ways for how to remove Cottonmouth snakes. For more information, go to my Snake Removal - How to Get Rid of Snakes home page.

Water moccasin - CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science Water moccasin Agkistrodon piscivorus Water moccasin showing its venomous fangs The Water moccasin is a species of venomous water snake known by the scientific name Agkistrodon piscivorus. Its body is very thick and dark colored. It can be found usually by swamps, rivers, or other bodies of water . It is best known as one of the most venomous snakes in North America . The snake is very aware of its surroundings and when it feels threatened it may simply curl up in a coil and open its mouth, or calmly disappear into the water for its own protection, or attack fast and hard. It is highly advised to seek medical help if you are bitten by one of these snakes. If you are not treated properly or quickly, there is the possibility of death. [1] The snake can be found either during night or day. It is most common though, to find them at night time in hot climate areas. It has been found in the winter but usually when it is sunny. The water moccasin eats all sorts of different kinds of prey.

This includes a variety of aquatic and land prey, which are: amphibians, lizards, snakes, small turtles, baby alligators , mammals , birds, and most importantly fish. The mating season for the snakes happens during the early time of summer. This time of year is when the male gender of the water moccasin get aggressive. This is because of the competition for males to mate with the female moccasin. [2] Contents Anatomy Full body view of the water moccasin There are distinctions of how to tell if what you are looking at is a water moccasin. Water moccasin, when they are young, are very light colored. Though when they are older and more mature, they become dark. The head of the snake is kind of shaped like a triangle. The eyes of the snake are similar to those of a cat. In other words, they have a yellowish tint to them and the pupils of the snake are vertical. The mouth of the water moccasin is very white. In it are its large fangs. When swimming through the water, the water moccasin doesn't go all the way under the water like normal water snakes do, they usually have their back out of the water while swimming.

In general, all snakes have a tiny hole opening behind their tongue. This is called the glottis . The glottis opens into a trachea. The snake's glottis is never opened. This creates a tall slit. What creates the hissing noise that the snake makes is the glottis, which vibrates when the snake breathes out. The snake has a trachea , which is a very thin structure, which is helped out by cartilaginous rings, the supported rings are not complete rings. What completes the ring is a slender membrane . [3] Reproduction The water moccasin is ovoviviparous . The female moccasin can have a litter of up to twenty, though that is very rare. The usual litter is around six to eight. Neonates are usually 22-35 cm long. If the weather conditions are good and food can be easily found, the growth of a water moccasin is fast and females may not reproduce as much as than three years of living and a total length of as small as 60 cm. Water moccasin babies are born in August or September,and mating can happen during any of the warmer months of the year.

Ecology Water moccasin slithering in the water The water moccasin can be found in the south eastern part of the United States of America. It mostly inhabits the parts of the state of Florida. It also can be found in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. The water moccasin lives in swampy areas and not as much as the large deep waters. It can be found in the low waters like: a lake, swamp, river, canals, or small clear rocky mountain streams. It has been found swimming in saltwater but not as likely. The water moccasin can develop better to it's environment if it lives in a dry climate. The less moist the environment the better. [4] Venom The water moccasin is one of the most deadly venomous snakes in North America. They are very aggressive when they think they are going to be attacked. The way they inject their venom is like the same way a rattlesnake does. The venom can be looked at in different steps. Which is the Proterozoic enzymes completely mess up and destroy your tissues.

The venom also can cause a sudden shock to the victim. 5,000 snake bites are reported each year in the United States. About 42% of those reports are due to the water moccasin snake bite. Studies show that water moccasin bites come from more of the males than females. This is probable due to the fact of the testosterone that the males posses. If you are bitten, here are some signs indicating whether you have been infected with venom or not. If there is pain around the bite. Also swelling, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea may show. Fang marks from the bite might not show on a victim from a water moccasin bite. The treatment for a wound depends on how much venom has gotten in your system. There isn't a lot of medication that you can take. It can take up to a six week recovery period. [5] References Cottonmouth / Water Moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus) - Venomous by Kimberly Andrews, University of Georgia – edited by J.D. Willson, University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Accessed March 1, 2011.

Poisonous Water Moccasins by Alexandra Hubbard, edited by Chitika, accessed March 5,2011. Envenomation by Sean P Bush, MD, FACEP, edited by Eric J Lavonas, updated July 24, 2008. moccasin | snake | Britannica.com Moccasin rattlesnake Moccasin (genus Agkistrodon), either of two venomous aquatic New World snake s of the viper family (Viperidae): the water moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus) or the Mexican moccasin (A. bilineatus). Both are pit vipers (subfamily Crotalinae), so named because of the characteristic sensory pit between each eye and nostril. Water moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus) in threatening posture. © 1992 E.R. Degginger The water moccasin inhabits marshy lowlands of the southeastern United States . It is also known as the cottonmouth, because it threatens with the mouth open, showing the white interior.

It measures up to 1.5 metres (5 feet) in length and is brown with darker crossbands or completely black. A dangerous snake with a potentially lethal bite, the cottonmouth tends to stand its ground or move slowly away when alarmed. It eats almost any small animal , including turtles, fish, frogs, and birds. The Mexican moccasin, or cantil, is found in lowland regions from the Rio Grande to Nicaragua . It is a dangerous snake and is brown or black with narrow irregular whitish bars on its back and sides. It is usually about 1 metre (3.3 feet) long. Moccasins are live-bearers (viviparous) rather than egg layers. For highland moccasin, see copperhead . Learn More in these related articles: Cottonmouth Snake - facts and dead rodents Habitat, diet, hibernation and more ... By Anders Nielsen, Ph.d. The Cottonmouth snake, or (A. piscivorus), is one that many refer to by names such as the Water Moccasin, or a combination of variations: Cottonmouth Moccasin, Highland Water Moccasin, and North American Water Moccasin.

The explanation for its name is the bright white lining of the mouth that it displays as a warning to predators and prey alike. Foraging Cottonmouth snakes forage by ambushing, actively searching for, and hunting their prey. They commonly eat dead animals as a source of nourishment. Most often, when they encounter a prey, e.g. a rodent, they inject their venom into it, let it go for a while and then hunt it down when it is subdued by the venom Their diet varies, although they rely heavily on fish. They eat small alligators, toads, birds, snails, and bird eggs. They also feed on smaller snakes, including their own species. Juvenile cottonmouth snakes have the ability to attract potential prey by moving their tail, luring their prey closer. Cottonmouth venom is more dangerous than most other types of snake venom. Deaths from cottonmouth occur once in a while. Its venom works by destroying blood cells and preventing the victims blood from clotting. Not lethal bites sometimes leads to amputations. Diet Cottonmouth snakes are strong swimmers and are primarily located in or close to water, where their prey resides. The Latin name piscivorus literally translates into "fish eater".

However, their diets expand beyond merely fish. A study by Himes (2004)3 showed that cottonmouth snakes also had a varied diet of non-fish food sources. The water snake is relatively large, thick, and fat looking and displays broad, opaque bands along its body. Cottonmouths darken with age, and at some point, the bands become obscured. Similar to the Copperhead snake, these snakes have a slightly green hue on the tip of their tails. The Cottonmouth snake is the most aquatic of the Agkistrodon, although is able to survive as far as one mile away from water1. The media has instilled in people an irrational fear of unprovoked attacks from Cottonmouth snakes, and other venomous snakes for that matter, but such fears are unsubstantiated. Studies have shown that Cottonmouths are unlikely to strike unless humans initially provoke it, or the snakes become directly handled. Giant Cottonmouth Snake Found in Florida One of the largest cottonmouth snakes (water moccasins) ever encountered was recently found in Florida. The video shows its characteristic triangular head typical of venomous species. The cottonmouth was 7 foot long.

The news reporter tells that the weight of the snake is 87 pound. Luckily, that is not realistic for a cottonmouth. Cottonmouths are not aggressive, so just leave them alone if you encounter one. Sub Species and Geographic Distribution There are three subspecies of Cottonmouth snakes: the Eastern Cottonmouth snake (A. p. piscivorus), the Western Cottonmouth snake (A. p. leucostoma) and the Florida Cottonmouth snake (A. p. conanti). In the table below, you can find the location of the specific sub-species in the United States. Identification - Cottonmouth snake or Water snakes Cottonmouth snakes are difficult to distinguish from Water snakes, and numerous Water snakes are killed on suspicion alone of being Cottonmouth snakes. Here are three tips that will help you distinguish whether a snake is a Cottonmouth or a Water snake: Cottonmouth snakes have broad flat heads, whereas Water snakes (Nerodia) have rounded heads. Water snakes have round pupils, while the Cottonmouths' pupils are elongated. Water snakes have eyes on the rounded part of their head, while Cottonmouths' eyes are located on the flattened sides of their head.

However, as a reader pointed out, Water snakes sometimes flatten their head so it appears to look triangular. This behavior has proven advantageous through evolution, as they then look like the dangerous Cottonmouths when this process occurs. There are many different sub-species of Water snakes. Some of these species have since evolved to bear a closer resemblance to the Cottonmouth more than other sub-species. Habitat Typically, water snakes inhabit the same habitats as cottonmouth snakes in a relationship referred to as sympatric. This term defines a relationship in which both species inhabit the same area, and do not divide the habitat between them. These habitats are always close to water. Life-cycle and Reproduction Cottonmouth snakes mate annually every spring and, after a gestation period of three to four months, the female gives birth to up to 16 juvenile snakes. The neonates have an average length of 8 to 14 inches. The eggs hatch within the female body - this is described in the literature as ovoviviparity. Neonate Cottonmouths are venomous as juvenile. Males typically fight one another for the right to mate with the females.

Characteristic features of juvenile Cottonmouths are their colored tails, which are used for luring prey closer. Hibernation In states like Virginia, where it is rather cold during the winter, the Cottonmouth snakes may hibernate for several months. In cold areas, hibernation is necessary even though it is dangerous as mortality rates during hibernacula are high. In addition, mortality during hibernacula in the winter may be the most important factor preventing viable populations of Cottonmouths to spread north of Virginia2. The preferred place of hibernation is wooded hillsides, also called bluffs, where they remain in stump holes. Therefore, during early winter, it is possible to see cottonmouth snakes migrating from their swamps and rivers until they reach a place deemed suitable for hibernation. As pointed out by Glaudas et al. (2006)4, it is important that corridors exist between upland and wetland so that the cottonmouths can find places to hibernate. During the winter, the Cottonmouths may lie coiled close to their hibernacula - often a stump hole, or a hole left by decayed roots5. In places like Florida and Texas, the Cottonmouth snakes may not hibernate at all.

References 1. Gloyd, H.K. & Conant, R. Snakes of the Agkistrodon Complex: A Monographic Review (1990) 2. Blem, C.R. & BLEM, L.B. The Eastern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon Piscivorus) at the northern edge of its range Journal of Herpetology 29(3) pp. 391-398 (1995) 3. Himes, J.G. The non-fish, vertebrate diet of sympatric populations of the cottonmouth Agkistrodon piscivorus and Northern Watersnake Nerodia sipedon Herpetological Review 35(2) pp. 123 (2004) 4. Glaudas, X. et al. Migration patterns in a population of cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) inhabiting an isolated wetland . Journal of Zoology 271(2) pp. 119-124 5. Gibbons, J.W. & Dorcas, M.E. Snakes of the Southeast.

(2005) University of Georgia Press Web resources: Water moccasin - NetHack Wiki Water moccasin monst.c#line1760 A water moccasin, S, is a variety of snake , virtually identical to the normal snake. They differ in that they are generated only in swarms by quaffing from (or dipping an item into) a fountain (often killing unsuspecting low-level characters); therefore their presence in the absence of fountain quaffing is indicative of bones . Due to their affiliation with fountain quaffing, they are the fourth most frequent cause of death on nethack.alt.org (next to soldier ants , jackals , and wands ); it is common in #nethack , on hearing of a water moccasin death, to exclaim "Go team fountain!" in acknowledgement of this. Water moccasins are poisonous to eat and have a 27% chance of imparting poison resistance . Origin Water moccasins are a species of venomous snake well known in the southeastern United States. Encyclopedia entry

Question: What type of animal is a water moccasin?
Answer: Snake