About Cottonmouth Snakes

The cottonmouth, also known commonly as the water moccasin, is a venomous snake that spends much time in and around the water. It is native to the United States and has a potentially fatal bite. The cottonmouth acquired its name from its habit of opening its mouth wide and exposing the white lining within as a warning to anything that may threaten it.

Identification

The average cottonmouth will reach a length of between 30 inches and 4 feet, with some specimens much larger; the males are bigger than the females. The cottonmouth has a heavy body and the coloring can vary. While some adults will be all black or all brown others can possess darkened bands against a yellow-brownish background. The nose of the snake is paler than the rest of its body and has a dark line next to each nostril.

Function

Cottonmouths, like rattlesnakes and copperheads, are called pit vipers. These snakes have two sensors that can detect heat between the nostrils and the eyes which they utilize to find prey. These pits can determine minute differences in temperature in the snake's environment. This comes in handy at night when cottonmouths do the majority of their hunting as warm-blooded animals will be more easily in found in the cooler evening air. The venom works by destroying blood cells and the ability of blood in the region of the bite to clot. It is very dangerous for humans and has been known to result in death.

Geography

The snake lives in the southeastern portion of the US, from southern Virginia into the Carolinas and Florida eastern Texas. States such as Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas have populations of cottonmouths. The water moccasin is a semi-aquatic snake and will reside in swampy areas, streams, marshes, around lakes and ponds, bayous and drainage ditches. They will often be seen during the day lying on logs or branches near the water sunning themselves.

Diet

The diet of the cottonmouth consists of fish, frogs, birds, small turtles, baby alligators, other snakes, lizards and small mammals such as voles and mice. Cottonmouths will frequently eat other cottonmouths. Cottonmouths, especially the young ones, will be killed and eaten by snapping turtles, alligators, birds such as the great blue heron and eagle, and large fish.

Misconceptions

Non-venomous water snakes are often mistake for cottonmouths and killed. The cottonmouth has gained a reputation as being aggressive because it will coil up, open its mouth and hiss, and stand its ground but it will not seek out humans and will flee from people if given ample opportunity. Another misconception about cottonmouths is that they will climb high into a tree and drop into an unsuspecting person's boat as it passes under them on the water. Cottonmouths do not climb high in trees. Snakes do fall out of trees sometimes, but it is more likely from being startled by the passing boat, not because they are attacking. The usual culprit is the non-poisonous brown water snake.