- Water moccasins live in the Southeastern United States, mostly in Florida and Georgia, but can be found as far west as Texas and as far north as Virginia. Cottonmouths are usually found near murky water---streams ponds, roadside ditches, marshes, canals and swamps. Unlike non-poisonous water snakes, cottonmouths swim on top of the water with their heads showing and do not climb into trees. They often travel on dry land but prefer to stay close to water sources, where they find most of their food.
- Water moccasins are called cottonmouths because of the white interior of their mouths and throats, which they display when defending themselves. Adult cottonmouths are solid brown or black, but youngsters may be brightly colored, banded and speckled. Cottonmouths have a dark line across their heads through the eye and ridges above their eyes so their eyes cannot be seen from above. The thick-bodied water moccasin can be anywhere from 2 to 6 feet long and has a large triangular head. Like other pit vipers, it has a depression, or pit, on its head and large jaws.
- Water moccasins are most active from April to October during the day, but are also seen year-round in some areas. When the weather is extremely hot, cottonmouths will often hunt at night. They bask in the sun on rocks or fallen logs and sometimes in the road near a water source. If a cottonmouth is threatened, it will coil and open its mouth wide to look more frightening. Water moccasin males battle for females during early summer, and females have one to 15 live babies in the fall every two to three years. Though water moccasins will stand and defend their territory (unlike harmless water snakes, which flee when threatened), if given a choice, they will slip away to safety. Most cottonmouths strike humans when accidentally stepped on or when a fisherman thrusts a hand into the water to retrieve a caught fish.
- Cottonmouths eat large quantities of vermin, such as mice and rats, as well as frogs and other snakes. Cottonmouths are often found at the edge of pools of water that are drying up, feeding on trapped fish. Young cottonmouths have tails tipped with bright yellow, which they wave to attract their prey.
- Like all pit vipers, such as rattlesnakes and copperheads, water moccasins are poisonous. If a cottonmouth bites you and hits an artery, you may die in less than a minute. However, the majority of cottonmouth bites are not fatal, and most people recover completely after receiving proper medical treatment. Cottonmouths are bold and often will not frighten easily, but if left alone will eventually slither off to hunt for more palatable prey. Never try to pick up a cottonmouth. If you accidentally step on it, it will probably strike out of fear, but if possible a water moccasin will attempt to flee. If you are bitten, seek medical attention immediately. Do not ice the wound, use a tourniquet or suck out the venom. Treat for shock and call 911.
