A Water Snake Vs. a Moccasin

Water snakes are often mistaken for water moccasins, also called cottonmouths, but since one is harmless and the other dangerous because of its highly venomous bite, knowing the difference is important.

Similarities

Both snakes are often found on or near the water, and both can display aggressive behavior if trapped. Both are dark-colored. The water moccasin is sometimes called a cottonmouth because of its way of opening its jaws very wide as a warning, revealing the white inside its mouth.

Heads, Necks and Fangs

The water moccasin, like most venomous snakes, has a large triangular-shaped head, giving the appearance of a neck between the head and body, and has long fangs. The water snake, like most non-venomous snakes, has a broader shaped head with no distinct neck between the head and body, and no long fangs.

Bodies

Water moccasins have thicker bodies, and water snakes have more slender bodies.

Eyes

The eyes of the water moccasins are elliptical and vertical, like a cat’s eye, and the water snake has round pupils.

Facial Heat Sensor

Water moccasins have a heat-sensing pit located between the eye and nostril, and water snakes do not.

References

• North Carolina State University: Water Snakes
• University of Florida: Water Snake or Moccasin?

Resources

• Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary: Common Snakes