The venom of Water Moccasins contains a powerful cytotoxic venom that destroys tissue. Water snakes also lack the facial pits that are characteristic of pit vipers, such as cottonmouths. Mississippi three Rattlesnakes, the Timber Rattlesnake, the Eastern Diamond-backed and the Pygmy Rattlesnake, cover territory across the state. Sometimes called the water moccasin, this aquatic snake gets its name from a white mouth that makes it look like it's eating a cotton ball. they move their tail, and lure their potential prey closer. The presentation begins with this group. This is the world's only semiaquatic viper, usually found in or near water. Although deaths are rare, the bite can leave scars, and on occasion, require amputation. Learning to recognize the difference between venomous and nonvenomous snakes is not a particularly difficult task. Native nonvenomous snakes have pupils which are round. A thin dark line runs back from the eye to the corner of the mouth. Cottonmouths may hibernate over winter in the colder, northern parts of their range. Hardy said that is an accepted term for non-venomous snakes. Black Racer (Coluber constrictor) is the general name for one of the most widespread of all the racer snakes. The illustrations, photographs, and range maps of Mississippis six venomous snakes are shown on this poster as an aid to their identification. Water Moccasin is a very different species from a Water-Snake. A juvenile water moccasin appears brightly colored with red-brown bands that extend across its back and down its sides without crossing the belly, set against a brown body color. According to studies, a female snake can reproduce at three years of age, if their growth is rapid. They prefer flatwoods, both pine and hardwood forests, and the environs of swamps. Identifying water moccasins means more than just knowing what they look like because in nature, there are always exceptions to every rule. The head has a flat, wedge-shaped appearance typical of all pit vipers (venomous snakes), almost triangular, with its widest place right at the jaw because of how wide it can open its mouth. Bites from the cottonmouth are relatively frequent in the lower Mississippi River Valley and along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, although fatalities are rare. When their wide, white mouths are open and gaping, they make hissing sounds. Adult eastern diamondback rattlesnakes feed almost exclusively on large rodents and rabbits. Upon confronting a potential enemy, the snake often opens its mouth, exposing the light interior. When water moccasins go on the hunt for their amphibious food, they do swim underwater to capture it and they can even bite underwater, as opposed to the myths that say they don't. Mud Snakes consume water based amphibians such as sirens and salamanders. Easily one of our most common snakes, copperheads are found everywhere except on the immediate Gulf Coast and the barrier islands. Young snakes often use their bright tail tips in hunting; they wiggle the tips of their tails to lure prey animals. As ovoviviparous reptiles, like all pit vipers, water moccasins give birth to live young once every two to three years because the females incubate their eggs inside their bodies. Other local names for cottonmouths include black moccasins, gapers, mangrove rattlers, snap jaws, stub-tail snakes, swamp lions, trap jaws, water mambas and water pilots. Choose a campsite that is away from woodpiles, cave entrances, swampy areas, or thick underbrush. They do indeed have functional rattles. Male snakes also compete with each other to mate with sexually attractive females. They can damage muscles, tissues, or can cause other serious issues depending on the location of the bite. Although we approached the venomous serpent with a snake hook, we did not touch the snake. With time its tail becomes black. Our snake was about 2- feet long and didn't seem at all concerned when I approached. Harmless snakes are more common, but encounters with venomous snakes do occur, and one should always be alert while enjoying outdoor activities. The water moccasin snake is the only semi-aquatic pit viper, as well as the only venomous water snake in North America. Compare the coralsnake, milksnake and the scarletsnake. Babies are born in September and at 14 inches long can kill and swallow adult mice. To reduce the number of snakes around your property, keep areas free of trash, brush. The snake's diet consists of fish, small mammals, birds and amphibians; reptiles such as lizards, baby alligators and turtles; and other snakes, including. Rare, occasional abnormalities (i.e., albinism, color or pattern aberrancies, etc.) The White-Mouthed Water Moccasin Threatened water moccasins coil their thick bodies, vibrating their tails and opening their mouths wide to scare you away. Symptoms of its bites include swelling, ecchymosis, necrosis, and myokymia. The quick and easy way to identify a water moccasin is to look for its wedge-shaped, blocky head (from above, as in a boat, you can't see its eyes), check for the heat-sensing slits beneath and between its eyes and nose, and note its olive, dark tan, dark brown or an almost black body, thick and python-like in its girth, especially in the middle before it tapers to a long, thin tip. If you are attempting to identify a snake, make sure you are not within its striking distance, which is usually 2/3 of the snakes body length. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. However, when a cottonmouth bites a human, he can get scars and may require amputation. The interesting feature moccasin has that its younger ones have yellow tails which they hold upright attracting prey within its range. Since the number of non-poisonous water snake species outnumber water moccasins, it's easy to confuse the two snakes because of similarities in coloring and habitats. In 1965, someone introduced water moccasins into Montgomery County in Kansas intentionally, but they are now gone. Select from premium Water Moccasin of the highest quality. On the other hand, Water Moccasins bask on land or logs near the water surface. Water moccasins are dark brown or black on top and the same on their bellies. Cottonmouths are semiaquatic, so they're comfortable both swimming in water (hence their other common name of water moccasin) and basking on land. The cottonmouth or water moccasin is a poisonous viper found in Mississippi and other parts of the Southeastern United States. Situated on the Gulf Coast only expands Mississippi snake diversity. As the snake ages, the tail turns black. Nearly all snakebites take place while people are killing the snake or otherwise tormenting, capturing, skinning, or handling them. In states like Virginia where the weather is cold, cottonmouth snakes hibernate for several months. In water area, remember to keep boasts away from low hanging branches to avoil having them drop off a branch and into the boat for a visit. According to IUCN, the Water moccasin is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Because of their keeled scales, water moccasins do not appear shiny, but instead appear dull with a non-reflective surface. Snakes found in higher branches are more than likely non-poisonous water snakes, as cottonmouths prefer the lower branches. When you are in areas where there may be snakes, wear long pants and/or shoes that protect your ankles. The raised loop is lateral, with the belly facing the attacker. Mississippi Headwaters Beaver swims in Stump Bay on the Mississippi River near Brainerd, MN. But why 'cottonmouth'? Water Moccasin forages by searching, ambushing, and hunting their prey. Identification features can change. Remember that general coloration can vary considerably from snake to snake even from the same region. The Water moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus) is a species of venomous pit viper. The body has black against yellow bands. In many instances they host multiple species from the common snake categories. Ground color is light gray or beige with darker brown hourglass-shaped crossbands, often with a pinkish or orange wash. The venom of the Water moccasin is toxic and is rich with powerful cytotoxic venom that destroys tissue. (Image credit: Paul S. Wolf/Shutterstock.com), (Image credit: Shelby L Earle/Shutterstock.com), International Union for Conservation of Nature, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Guide to Venomous Snakes and Their Mimics, Best toys for preschoolers 2023: Educational toys for growing minds, Best rock tumblers 2023: Beginners, hobbyists, and professionals, Appendicitis: Causes, symptoms and treatment. Cottonmouths are often confused with nonvenomous water snake (opens in new tab) species from the genus Nerodia. The flood waters also contain alligators, spiders, rats and even fire ants according to experts. Introduction: Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) and cottonmouth or water moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus) snakes account for the majority of venomous snakebites in the southern United States. They are often large ranging from 2 to 4 feet long. They can be found basking in the sun during the day on rocks, logs and stumps, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (opens in new tab). Protected Lands Protect Water (0:43) The Mississippi River is a point of pride and a . The picture shows a Crayfish snake. Each diamond is bordered by a single row of light colored scales. Juvenile snakes have colored tails. At this point in time, no natural colonies exist north of the Missouri River, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Even though water snakes are nonvenomous, they can still bite and are often killed by humans out of fear that they are cottonmouths. The red rings almost always have elements of black, especially in older snakes. Recently killed snakes can bite reflexively. Viernum has a masters in biology and herpetology from Jacksonville State University, and a bachelors degree in wildlife biology from Murray State University. This is a very heavy bodied snake. In the morning and on cool days, they can often be seen basking in the sunlight. Its scientific name is derived from the Greek words for 'hooked' ( ancistro) and tooth ( odon) and the Latin words for fish ( piscis) and eat ( voro ). Their swimming behavior is also different. Do not give victim any drink or food by mouth. moccasin, (genus Agkistrodon), either of two venomous aquatic New World snakes of the viper family (Viperidae): the water moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus) or the Mexican moccasin (A. bilineatus). Many scientists dislike the use of the term water moccasin since it can lead to confusion between the venomous cottonmouth and non-venomous water snakes. The most common of these habitats include thick, vegetated wetlands, marshes, bogs, cypress swamps, river floodplains, overgrown ponds and other areas where amphibious creatures live. This article was edited on Nov. 2 by Live Science managing editor Tia Ghose. Welcome to MWRA. There is a prominent rattle on tail. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. STATUS: Common statewide. Cottonmouths and Nerodia species have similar coloring and patterns and are all usually found near water. Water Moccasins and cottonmouths share one common thing: they're the same snake. Then by process of elimination, all others can be recognized as nonvenomous. If the snake is dead or safely contained behind glass, look for the following features. Young cottonmouth snakes have striking patterns that fade with age. Refer to the characteristics illustrated on this poster for reliable identification. And most importantly, while coral snake bites always represent a life and death situation, bites are not anywhere near 100% fatal to people. Water Moccasin Scientific name: Agkistrodon piscivorus Length: 24 - 48 in Venomous: Yes The Western Cottonmouth, which one of 3 subspecies of the Water Moccasin ( Agkistrodon piscivorus ), is one of only 5 venomous snakes found in the state of Missouri. They're called cottonmouths because of the white coloration on the inside of their mouths, which they display when threatened. BODY SIZE THICK, HEAVY BODIES: Venomous Water Moccasins have bodies that are VERY thick and heavy for their length, and short, thick tails. The Mississippi River runs from Minnesota down the center of the country, 2,350 miles, to Louisiana where it pours into the Gulf of Mexico. Copperheads grow to an average three feet in length and their light body is covered with darker crossbands. Smooth Earthsnakes (Virginia valeriae) are the only representative of the Virginia genera. When they encounter a prey, they bite it and then let it go. The males also fight each other when competing for females. Remember that venomous snakes can climb trees, can bite under water, and may enter saltwater. The name cottonmouth comes from the way the snakes gape at predators, exposing the. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Crotalus adamanteus. Pygmy rattlers have nine large symmetrically arranged scales on the crown of the head. The shorter and thicker body of the Water Moccasin can normally be used as field identification clues to distinguish between them. She graduated from San Diego's Coleman College in 1972. Many cottonmouths live in protected state and national parks, and the species is also protected by state law in some places. More importantly, mortality is less than 1% for physician-treated venomous snakebites in the United States. You may hear people calling the harmless water snakes "water moccasins". They bite when touched, pinned down or purposely handled by uninformed people. Find Water Moccasin stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Her stint as Manager of the California State Mining and Mineral Museum in California's gold country served to deepen her interest in science which she now fulfills by writing for online science websites. A western cottonmouth snake coiled up and displaying its white mouth. Most of our venomous species have characteristics which are not shared by harmless snakes. You can identify a Water Moccasin by its triangular head, thick body and a long tail. Keeled scales cover their body, water moccasins do not appear shiny instead it appears dull having a non-reflective surface. Overall coloration grows darker toward the tail. We believe that our association - Mississippi Water Resources Association - is unique. Skin discoloration around the wound is also common. One of several facts that separate coral snakes from the five pit vipers inhabiting our state is that of reproduction. Calm and reassure the victim; dont panic. There are many animals and birds which feed on these snakes, whenever they encounter them. In Mississippi the majority of bites of humans by canebrake rattlesnakes result from the persons attacking the snake or otherwise trying to handle it. The picture shows the Mud Snake, a striking black and red colored snake. A red face and red blotches surrounded by black bands are good field identification clues. Water Moccasin is a very different species from a Water-Snake. There is a prominent rattle on tail. At issue is that their blotchy skin also makes them look very similar to the watersnakes. The majority of the snakes back can contain dark spots. Cottonmouths range from southeastern Virginia to Florida, west to central Texas and north to southern Illinois and Indiana, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (opens in new tab). 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