The Water Moccasin is a very venomous snake, one of the most deadly in North America. It is highly dangerous to people and their pets.
Water Moccasin
Related Category: Vertebrate Zoology
or cottonmouth, highly venomous snake, Ancistrodon piscivorus, of the swamps and bayous of the S United States.
Water Moccasin Species Profile
Some of the many vernacular names for this snake are water moccasin, swamp adder and trapjaw. This is a rather slow moving, abundant, viperine snake that is quite apt to stand its ground rather than run if frightened.
Cottonmouth / Water Moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus) - Venomous
Photos by J.D. Willson unless otherwise noted ...
Also called "water moccasin," cottonmouths CAN bite underwater, but their prey is fish. If they could not bite underwater, they would starve. Cottonmouths avoid contact with humans or any other possible predator.
Other Names
Water moccasin
Size
length up to 180cm
Environment
found in thickets along the edges of ponds, around woodland near water, swamps ...
The cottonmouth, or water moccasin, is a dark-colored, heavy-bodied snake that can grow to an average of 2-4 feet in length. Juvenile cottonmouths are a brown or tan color with darker, reddish brown crossbands containing many speckles down the back.
OTHER NAMES: Cottonmouth, Water Moccasin, Moccasin.
DESCRIPTION: Eastern cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) are large, aquatic, venomous snakes. They are generally dark above - olive, brown, or black.
The Yellowbelly Water Snake is the harmless snake most often incorrectly referred to as a "water moccasin" (even though there is no such snake) in Harris County. This is because of its generally dark coloration and its irritable disposition.
The Cottonmouth, commonly called "Water Moccasin", is one of our most venemous snake species. They have a mean disposition and don't hesitate to strike when cornered.
Many people, when seeing this snake, think they've seen a venomous (poisonous) water moccasin. But, if they're in Wisconsin, they haven't. There are no water moccasins anywhere near Wisconsin.
with other species such as the venomous water moccasin or copperhead. The variable outward appearance of this water snake is not helpful in identifying the species from afar.
Although many believe the water moccasin occurs in Ohio, it actually ranges no farther north than the Dismal Swamp in southeastern Virginia. Water moccasins are not native to Ohio.
Cottonmouths are often referred to as “water moccasins,' as are nonvenomous watersnakes, a species with which they are often confused.
The poisonous snakes in North America include the coral snake, the pit vipers, (the copperhead), rattlesnake , water moccasin, and massasauga . The Bushmaster , and the Fer-de-lance are other deadly pit vipers.
Unfortunately, many persons still kill watersnakes, in the mistaken belief that they are poisonous "water moccasins." There are no poisonous watersnakes, or water moccasins, in Wisconsin.
This species is known by several other common names, including Gaper, Lowland Moccasin, Trapjaw, and Water Moccasin. (Some locals in Arkansas will call any snake seen in the water a water moccasin regardless of the species.)
Habitats ...
Cottonmouths, also called water moccasins, get their name from the white lining of their mouths, which they will show when agitated.
Cottonmouths are venomous semi-aquatic snakes also referred to as 'water moccasins.' They are often confused with non-venomous watersnakes due to a similar appearance.
Gaboon viper ...
The Florida cottonmouth, also called the cottonmouth moccasin and water moccasin, is one of three subspecies of the only venomous water snake in North America.
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The decorative but dangerous American copperhead holds membership in the pit viper family-those venomous snakes that include cottonmouth water moccasins and rattlesnakes.
Copperhead Characteristics ...
The Copperhead is the most common venomous snake found in the eastern US. It is also known by the name "Highland Moccasin." As a species, it belongs to the genus "Agkistrodon" which also includes the Cottonmouth, also known as the "Water Moccasin".
They swim well, seeking food (frogs and fish) and safety in the water, and often bask on objects hanging over the water. Water snakes are not venomous, but will bite if cornered or handled. They are sometimes mistakenly called "water moccasins" ...
Watch the playful river otters frolic in their stream from underwater viewing. Learn the truth about local snakes-from water moccasins to copperheads-and find out why they are so important to humans.
The famous, and venomous cottonmouth (or water moccasin), Agkistrodon piscivorus, is not found in Minnesota or Iowa. The farthest north cottonmouths have been recorded is central Missouri.
 See also: Snake, Moccasin, Cottonmouth, Copperhead, Copper
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