Western Cottonmouth

Description:

Coloration is similar to the two eastern subspecies, except that most specimens tend to become darker at a younger age. Also, the light line that borders the dark cheek strip—clearly defined in A. p. conanti and less so in A. p. piscivorus -- is usually not present in this subspecies. A dorsal color pattern consists of 10 to 15 dark crossbands can be seen in small specimens, as well as in some larger ones

Habitat:

Found in the United States, from southern Alabama along coast of the Gulf of Mexico, including many offshore islands, to southeastern and central Texas and north to Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois Indiana and southeastern Nebraska.The type locality given is "western district of Tennessee." Schmidt (1953) proposed that this be emended to "10 miles northeast of Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tennessee.