How to Spot a Cottonmouth Snake

The Cottonmouth is the only poisonous water snake found in North America. It is a pit viper and senses movement with its pit in between its eyes. The Cottonmouth snake is found in three subspecies. The Western Cottonmouth, the Eastern Cottonmouth, and the Florida Cottonmouth have common characteristics and traits that distinguish them from nonvenomous water snakes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Look for a cottonmouth snake in its habitat. Cottonmouths are found in waterways and wetlands. The cottonmouth prefers swamps, streams, ditches, marshes, and other wet areas. They will leave the wetlands for food, but prefer to be in the water, near the water, or sunbathing above the water on branches waiting for approaching prey.
2. Spot a cottonmouth snake in certain areas of the United States. The Cottonmouth snake is found from Illinois south to Alabama, west to Oklahoma and Central Texas. Florida has its own subspecies of the Cottonmouth.
3. Notice the cottonmouth snake's characteristics. Cottonmouths are large dark brown, olive or black snakes that measure between 30 inches to 48 inches, depending on the subspecies. They can be up to five feet long. They have a light and dark cross band and a yellowish stomach. The young cottonmouth resembles a copperhead without the reddish coloring. The Western Copperhead has a wide dark stripe on the side of its head. They have triangular heads and cat eye pupils.
4. Watch the cottonmouth's behavior. The cottonmouth is very territorial and aggressive. They defend and guard a specific area. It usually stays near water and swims with its head well above the water. If you see a snake quickly move away, it probably is not a cottonmouth.