Water Moccasin/Cotton Mouth

Description:

Agkistrodon piscivorus is a venomous snake, a species of pit viper, found in the southeastern USA. Adults are large and capable of delivering a painful and potentially fatal bite. When antagonized, they will stand their ground by coiling their bodies and displaying their fangs.[2] Although their aggression has been exaggerated, on rare occasions territorial males will approach intruders in an aggressive manner.[3] This is the world's only semiaquatic viper, usually found in or near water, particularly in slow-moving and shallow lakes, streams, and marshes. The snake is a strong swimmer and will even enter the sea, successfully colonizing islands off both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The generic name is derived from the Greek words ancistro (hooked) and odon (tooth), and the species name comes from the Latin piscis (fish) and voro (to eat); thus, the scientific name translates into “hooked-tooth fish-eater”.[4] Common names include variants on water moccasin, swamp moccasin or black moccasin; also cottonmouth, gapper, or simply viper.[5] Many of the common names refer to the threat display, where this species will often stand its ground and gape at an intruder, exposing the white lining of its mouth. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.[6] Its diet consists mainly of fish and frogs, but is otherwise highly varied and, uniquely, has even been reported to include carrion

Habitat:

Orlando Fl. leaving the swamp. It diffently held it's ground. It didn't try getting away from me, it kept it's head up ready for a fight. It won, I left it to make it's way back to the water. I will never understand why people feel the need to kill snakes.

Notes:

Many outdoor enthusiasts have encountered snakes around ponds, lakes, creeks, rivers, or other wet areas. Without a field guide, how would you know what kind it was? There are many kinds of water snakes including red bellied (shown above), banded, brown and southern to name a few. Comparing their markings to a water moccasin can confuse the casual glance. Rest assured, a brochure provided by the GA DNR contains excellent advice, photos and information on water moccasins and water snakes. Here are some highlights on identifying these reptiles of the aquatic persuasion: Water moccasins, or "Cottonmouths," are relatively short and wide. Water snakes are longer and more slender. Water moccasins bask on land, or on logs and stumps near water surface. Water snakes are good climbers and spend a lot of time basking on branches hanging over water. Water moccasins move slowly and defend their territory while water snakes move quickly away from disturbances. When swimming, cottonmouths keep their heads elevated above the water and bodies riding nearly on the water surface. Water snakes keep their head and body low and below the water surface. Cottonmouths always cock their heads at a 45 degree angle on land. Water snakes keep their heads level with the ground. Both snakes feed on fish, frogs and other prey found around aquatic habitats.