How to Spot Poisonous Water Moccasin

The Cottonmouth Water Moccasin is a semi-aquatic snake that resides in swamps and lakes of the southern United States. The bite of a water moccasin is highly toxic and can cause severe tissue damage. A few simple characteristics can help you identify the water moccasin and avoid it.

Instructions

1. Notice the snake's coloring. Young water moccasins are a pale reddish brown and have dark brown bands. Adult snakes are a dull olive or brown, while older snakes are an unmarked olive or black. Water moccasins of all ages have a white or yellowish belly.

2. Look at the length. Most water moccasins are 3 to 4 feet long, although some have been known to reach a length of 6 feet. Because of this variance in length, other visual signifiers are more accurate in helping identify a water moccasin.

3. Keep location in mind. If you notice the snake in the water, there is a reasonable chance that it is a water moccasin. While there are non-poisonous water snakes in the South, it is better not to take any chances. Water moccasins also like to relax on branches that hang out over water to watch for prey.

4. Watch the snake at rest. Cottonmouth water moccasins get their name from a tendency to relax with head thrown back and mouth open to expose the white interior.

5. Observe the snake's reaction, but only if it is not reacting to you. Water moccasins are an aggressive species of snake. They watch for potential prey and then attack. As such, watch the snake's attack method if you have a reasonable vantage point. Much like its resting stance, the water moccasin erects its head and exposes its white mouth when startled or reacting to prey.

Resources

• Pest Products lists a number of snake repellents and trapping methods
• Brazos River Rattlesnake Ranch gives detailed information about the Water Moccasin