Cottonmouth
Cottonmouth ( Water-Moccasin ) ~ Agkistrodon piscivorus
Genus: Agkistrodon
Species: piscivorus
Adult body length: 20 - 75 inches
Body length at birth:
Breeding period: spring and fall
Young per year: 1 - 15 young are born
Typical foods: fishes, amphibians, snakes and birds
Habitat: lives near streams, rivers, ponds, swamps, lakes, and any other permanent source of water
Can be found: In Eastern United States to texas
Short description: venomous snake, broad headed, triagular head, stout, weekly keeled scales, vertical pupils
General description:
The Cottonmouth, also known as the Water-Moccasin,
is a highly venomous snake. The color of these snakes are
a dark color to nearly black. With a inner white mouth. With
a more powerful venom than the Copperhead, the Cottonmouth
is one of the most deadliest snakes in Eastern United States. This
snake can be found near swamps, ponds, lakes, streams, pools,
and any other sources of water. When threatened, the Cottonmouth
is aggressive and will normally stand its ground. Avoid this snake
for its bite can be lethal.
May 09 2007 09:26 pm
jean patrick meert on 26 Feb 2008 at 9:44 pm #
I’am doing some research on mocassin snakes for a novel I’m writing. Wonder where the common name mocassin warter snake versus cottonmouth comes from???
Be glad if someone could help me on that.
Jean Patrick
Nancy Nichols on 22 May 2008 at 10:42 pm #
My husband tells of 2 different kinds of cotton mouths, he grew up around a swamp and river. He calls one a stump tail and the other a regular cotton mouth. The stump tails are especially aggressive, giving chase and you can smell them because of a stench they emmit. Have you heard of any ? By the way , great site ! Love the Bible verse too !
jcbiggar1 on 27 Aug 2008 at 2:53 pm #
Regarding the Cottonmouth - there
is only one genus species, the Agkistrodon piscivorous. They do vary in
size and color, and some do appear more stumpy. I’ve never heard it
called a stump tail cottonmouth before - thats pretty cool. Many people
have different names for the same kind of snakes. For instance, I’ve
heard my Grandmother refer to a black rat snake as a chicken snake,
obviously because it would raid the chickens nest for eggs. Tell your
husband I like the name Stump-tail Cottonmouth - it actually gives the
snake a little more personality. Thanks for writing, Have a great day.