Florida Water Moccasin Belly

If someone walks up on a water moccasin chances are it will be coiled and ready to strike.
Florida water moccasin belly. Cottonmouths agkistrodon piscivorus sadly harmless snakes are often killed out of fear for the safety of family and pets. When threatened it may respond by coiling its body and displaying its fangs. Agkistrodon piscivorus is a venomous snake a species of pit viper in the subfamily crotalinae of the family viperidae the species is native to the southeastern united states as an adult it is large and capable of delivering a painful and potentially fatal bite. Agkistrodon piscivorus lacépède 1789 the following will separate the two cottonmouths found in florida if you are unable to distinguish between them based on the characteristics in the key below you probably can do so using the geographic location alone.
These vipers are deadly and received their name because of the way they present themselves when threatened. There are many harmless watersnakes genus nerodia that are frequently confused with venomous water moccasins a k a. The water moccasin snake characteristics water moccasins or cottonmouth snakes are found near bodies of water in the southern part of the united states. There are three subspecies within this species.
The belly color varies from brown to yellow with the presence of black crescents and brown splotches. Florida snake identification key cottonmouth florida cottonmouth moccasin water moccasin. There is also the western cottonmouth which is found in the states surrounding and. Because florida has a large number of swamps and marshland these snakes can be found in great abundance meaning that you could be at risk each.
These include florida cottonmouth which is found in florida and parts of georgia. They are known for their thick bodies and shorter tails compared to the slender water snake. Coral snakes are the most dangerous and a cousin of the cobra. The florida water moccasin the western water moccasin and the eastern water moccasin grow to an adult size from 8 to 48 inches long with a record length of 74 1 2 inches long.
One snake that poses a considerable risk is the cottonmouth also known as a water moccasin. Individuals may bite when feeling threatened or being. Their heads are also much larger than the normal water snake and they have a diamond like shape that almost seems like a large block. Mg singh emge from singapore on july 27 2020.
The snakes are thick and dark colored with a heavy body with the neck smaller than the body and with the tail tip long and thin. Paul goodman author from florida usa on july 27 2020. Water moccasins also known as cotton mouths copperheads rattlesnakes and coral snakes are types of venomous snakes found in the us. The water moccasin or cottonmouth is a venomous pit viper snake species found in southeastern parts of the united states.
It would not be uncommon for a water moccasin to stand its ground in the face of danger. Very interesting article on a non venomous. The cottonmouth will hold itself erect opening its mouth.