Florida Water Moccasin Cottonmouth

There is also the western cottonmouth which is found in the states surrounding and.
Florida water moccasin cottonmouth. They re the same snake. When threatened it may respond by coiling its body and displaying its fangs. The cottonmouth or water moccasin is a dark colored heavy bodied snake that can grow to an average of 2 4 feet in length. Juveniles also have bright yellow tail tips.
Cottonmouth snakes are the only venomous water snake in north america and are part of the pit viper family that includes rattlesnakes mamushi vipers and more. Cottonmouths agkistrodon piscivorus sadly harmless snakes are often killed out of fear for the safety of family and pets. There are many harmless watersnakes genus nerodia that are frequently confused with venomous water moccasins a k a. There are three subspecies within this species.
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. Although water moccasins are the same however there are more than one type. 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. Baby cottonmouths are as dangerous as their parents and learning how to identify them is an essential skill.
Water moccasins and cottonmouths share one common thing. 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. The water moccasin or cottonmouth is a venomous pit viper snake species found in southeastern parts of the united states. However knowing how to respond correctly to venomous snakebites is also important.
These include florida cottonmouth which is found in florida and parts of georgia. Individuals may bite when feeling threatened or being. 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. You have the typical cottonmouth which is more dedicated towards the southern united states.
Harmless watersnake or venomous water moccasin. Florida snake identification key cottonmouth florida cottonmouth moccasin water moccasin. Juvenile cottonmouths are a brown or tan color with darker reddish brown crossbands containing many speckles down the back.