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Cottonmouth snakes, also known as water moccasins, are venomous snakes found throughout the southeastern U.S. that can be identified by the white color in their mouths.
Agkistrodon piscivorus is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. It is one of the world's few semiaquatic vipers (along with the Florida cottonmouth), and is native to the Southeastern United States. [5] . As an adult, it is large and capable of delivering a painful and potentially fatal bite.
Cottonmouths, or water moccasins, are snakes that are native to the southeastern United States. Their territory stretches from Texas to the Eastern Seaboard, and from the Florida Keys to the middle of Missouri. These poisonous water snakes are often confused with non-venomous northern water snakes.
The cottonmouth is one of the few semi-aquatic venomous snakes worldwide. They are named cottonmouth as the insides of their mouth, visible when they gape at their prey, are white. These snakes are indigenous to the Southeastern United States and are also called water moccasins as they prefer living in water for a long time.
Cottonmouths are venomous snakes known by a slew of other names, including water moccasin, black moccasin, and swamp moccasin. Their primary nickname is in reference to their white colored mouth, which they display when feeling threatened. This species is considered to be quite dangerous, and their venom can kill a human if left untreated.
Description: Cottonmouths are venomous semi-aquatic snakes often referred to as “water moccasins.” They have large, triangular heads with a dark line through the eye, elliptical pupils, and large jowls due to the venom glands. They are large – typically 24 – 48 in (61 – 122 cm), occassionally larger, keeled-scaled, heavy-bodied snakes.
The cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) is the only venomous water snake in North America, and one of only four venomous snakes in the United States. The others include the rattlesnake, copperhead and coral snake.
As a venomous snake, cottonmouths have the ability to bite, poison, and potentially kill humans. Because cottonmouths are found in water and on land, and because they are common along the shores of ponds, lakes, and rivers, encounters between humans and cottonmouths are frequent.
Cottonmouth snakes, also known as, swamp moccasin, black moccasin, and simply viper, have a dangerous and potentially fatal bite, although these bites are rare. They’re common name is cottonmouths because of the white coloration on the inside of their mouths, which they display when threatened.
The cottonmouth is the most aquatic of North American venomous snakes and can be found in most habitats associated with water. Like other ectothermic (“cold-blooded”) reptiles, cottonmouths bask on branches, logs or stones at the water’s edge.