On the other hand, and according to the references I’ve read, cottonmouths or moccasins (same thing) do not occur above the fall line. Why is a Water Moccasin Called a Cottonmouth? A Copperhead crossing the path in Explore the Wild (5/17/13). They can be found in any type of water body such as lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, or canals. And look at this incredibly calm demeanor. These water snakes can grow up to 5 feet in length. Like many other venomous water snakes, their pupils are shaped more like cats’ eyes and have vertical slits instead of round pupils. Copper Head Snakes and Water Snakes Copperhead snake (Photo: Michale McCarthy, Flicker sharing) Identification of the venomous copperhead snake and the harmless northern banded water snake. They are the largest water snakes in any species. They’re not afraid to show this feature to you. While they’re not an extremely offensive snake, cottonmouths are known to strike and bite humans who encounter them almost as much as rattlesnakes in a manner of self-defense. Their heads can flatten out, making them appear to have more of a triangular-shaped head compared to other snakes. As an adult, it is large and capable of delivering a painful and potentially fatal bite. Unlike many other snakes, the watersnakes don’t lay eggs. However, they are very diverse and have a larger range than some other species of venomous vipers. the side of the head is the banded water snake, and the stripe is a poorly-defined one, at best. Even though death may not occur if a person is bitten, however, the person will be left with a scar by the snake bite, he may need an amputation to save himself from the toxic tissue. You have the typical cottonmouth, which is more dedicated towards the southern United States. It works as an indicator. Cottonmouths are a family of pit vipers, and they are able to use their heat sensors (which are conveniently located in between their eyes like a nose) to hunt and even strike their prey with precision accuracy despite their poor eyesight. They have heat sensors between their nostrils and eyes. Other snakes are not true cottonmouths, because they lack the interior flesh of their mouths that give cottonmouths their name. In this article we’ll take a look at Water Moccasins vs Cottonmouths and discern the difference, if any. The shape of their head and their iris, scale, and body structure are some of the characteristics that could be used to discern them if you happen to see any of them in your backyard. One thing remains true though – they, just like other snakes, have distinct markings that help you identify them much easier. Luckily, one can quickly go to a hospital and get an anti-venom serum injection. VENOMOUS / NORTHERN COTTONMOUTH -- A heavy-bodied snake has a pattern that is typically obscured by its dark coloration. The northern water snake feeds heavily on fish and amphibians, swallowing its prey alive.These snakes have been known to eat a number of fish species, such as brook trout, sunfish, smallmouth bass, minnows, bullhead catfish, and hogsuckers.They have also been recorded eating northern cricket frogs, toads, southern leopard frogs, bullfrog tadpoles, and spring peepers. Cottonmouth snakes live in the South-eastern United States of Southern Virginia to Florida and Eastern Texas. States like Arkansas often confuse copperheads for cottonmouths. Many times they tend to flee. Now I noticed the same thing with Lake Erie water snakes and northern water snakes. Their pupils are cat-like. Although water moccasins are the same however, there are more than one type. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The babies are sized to be around 19 to 24 centimeters. They do look alike, but there is a huge difference quotient that sets them apart. The majority of locations are often rich with vegetation and swampy areas near riverbeds, like the Mississippi River. Water moccasins are relatively large, often ranging from 2 to 4 feet (61 to 122 centimeters) long, according to the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. Northern water snakes are also protected throughout Georgia, where it is illegal to kill or keep non-venomous snakes. The water snakes are species that are large in size. Cottonmouth is usually found in the southern United States, mainly in Carolina and places that are near them like Florida, Oklahoma, Georgia, Arkansas. Full-grown snakes range anywhere from above 24 inches up to 36 inches in length. Water Snakes in Tennessee (9 Species With Pictures), The Difference Between Domesticated and Wild Animals, Whales in Maine – 4 Common Species To Look For, 28 Keystone Species Examples in North America, 8 Types of Woodpeckers in Utah (Pictures). Both these original names were put together in order to give cottonmouth the scientific name, which translates to “hook-toothed fish-eater.”. They are preyed upon by corner owls, turtles, Eagles, loggerhead shrikes, red shouldered hawks, big birds like egrets, herons, etc. Some of their predators are foxes, turtles, humans, and big birds. They have a white line above their jawline, which looks like cotton. This is unlike some other snake species, which has no disce… They tend to flee from such situations. Just about every body of water here in the piedmont has its share of water snakes, usually more than most people care to know about. One of the primary reasons that people call the water moccasin a cottonmouth, is simply because of the skin on the inside of the mouth. There are many harmless watersnakes (genus Nerodia) that are frequently confused with venomous Water Moccasins a.k.a. Ranging statewide, it often shares habitat with cottonmouth snakes and is the snake most often misidentified as a cottonmouth. They have many patterns on their skins, which differentiates them from cottonmouth. Georgia is generally covered in the Ohio basin, which means it is a hotspot for cottonmouth snakes. Northern Watersnakes have a body color of brown to gray with varying amounts of white, red and yellow. Whenever the water snakes feel threatened, they tend to dive in the water to steer clear of any disturbance. They have a color pattern that is very blotchy and often includes tan, black, and black. Luckily for you, there’s a slim chance you’ll ever be bitten by one if you are careful. They use their senses in order to hunt. "That's not the case. If you see a cottonmouth your first instinct may be to take a picture. The location range for these snakes is rather wide, stretching almost half of the continent-wide, from Florida, all the way to the southern parts of Missouri, and as far north as Northeastern Virginia, at approximately (around 37-degrees north, and 77 degrees west). Cottonmouths are commonly confused with copperheads because they share similar color patterns, although the markings are quite different. Water snakes tend to mate around April. In some cases, people who’ve been bitten suffer from permanent muscle damage though. Cottonmouth vs Watersnake Length. They tend to give birth like a mammal. Identifying a Cottonmouth Snake . They have a narrow viper-shaped head (almost triangular, but not as much as snakes like the rattlesnake). They tend to hunt small fishes, frogs, tadpoles, and little birds and mammals. Instead of laying eggs, the female snake tends to carry the egg inside their belly and give birth like a mammal. As we said, you can get an anti-venom to help counteract the bite, even though it may not permanently repair any damage caused by the snake’s bite itself. While the venomous species are likely to bare their mouth to a threat, the Northern Water Snake will usually flee into the water rather than confront any direct threat. They can be found near shallow lakes, shallow streams, and marshes. Check this out. They are very similar to copperheads, but are primarily semiaquatic in nature (meaning they love to swim in water). Watersnake: they are the biggest in their species. Colors are darker for adult snakes compared to that of an adolescent. It could be concluded that even though cottonmouth and water snakes are found harboring near water bodies, they have distinct structural appearance and habits that set them apart. Ever since I was a kid I've loved learning about wildlife. Their scientific name is Nerodia sipedon, and they generally mean water snakes. Their size varies from 22 to 35 centimeters. While biting, they release a certain element known as an anticoagulant, which causes the bitten area to bleed more. It is considered that one to eight is most common to the least. It is only when they are nudged or touched, do they bite. Cottonmouths are a highly venomous species. ... Now I noticed the same thing with Lake Erie water snakes and northern water snakes. Watersnake: water snakes are non-venomous. Cottonmouths have white-colored skin on the inside of their mouths, and when they bare their fangs before striking. Agkistrodon piscivorus is a species of pit viper in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae.It is the world's only semiaquatic viper, and is native to the southeastern United States.It is the only venomous species of North America's water snakes and one of 21 venomous snakes in the United States. They are mainly found in the northern side of America. They can live in areas where water is available but not necessarily in bodies of water, such as meadows, fields, forests, and even mountains. Watersnake: Their colors vary though they are brown, black, olive and reddish and grey. cottonmouth water moccasin snake stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images When it comes to sexual activities, the male cottonmouths are more prone to establish a certain kind of dominance over the female so that they can recognize and establish a relationship. These snakes are generally found in the northern side of America, mainly in Quebec and Ontario. Florida has a closely related but distinct species, the Florida cottonmouth Agkistrodon conanti.. Cottonmouths are venomous, and are therefore dangerous if approached closely or handled. Chief among them was the notorious and venomous cottonmouth, a.k.a., water moccasin, that turned up in the floodwaters, scaring the bejesus out of many people. 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