Cottonmouth

(Agkistrodon piscivorus)

"Florida Cottonmouth"

Color Photo: ©Corel Inc.

"Western Cottonmouth"

"Western Cottonmouth juvenile"

Color Photos: U.S. Forest Service

Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)

Identification: Snake 20 to 75 inches in length. A chunky, heavy snake. The tail rapidly thins to a narrow whip at the end. Head much wider than the neck, with a slight rectangular appearance. Side of head with a pit between the eye and nostril. Color variable, black, brown, to olive. Body may be unmarked, or with tooth-edged bands. Upper jaw of head usually (but not always) with a light stripe along its margin. Open mouth pinkish white inside. Scales keeled and anal plate single. Young with distinct bands and with a bright, yellow tail.

Geographical Variation:

Eastern Cottonmouth (A. p. piscivorus): Stripe on upper jaw not well defined; tip of snout lack vertical marks. Range: Southeastern Virginia, southward through the Carolinas to central Georgia and Alabama.

Western Cottonmouth (A. p. leucostoma): Bands on the body obscure to absent. Range: Western Kentucky and Tennessee to western Alabama and westward to south-central Oklahoma and eastern Texas.

Florida Cottonmouth (A. p. conanti): Stripe on upper jaw distinct; snout with 2 vertical dark stripes. Range: Southern Georgia, southeastern Alabama, and all of Florida.

Range (see map below): The Cottonmouth is a species of the southeastern United States from southeastern Virginia in the north southward throughout Florida, and westward to Texas, southern Illinois, and Oklahoma.

Habitat: This species is an aquatic animal and is typically found in swamps, lakes, ponds, rivers, and just about any other watery area within its range.

Food: Frogs, fish, salamanders, snakes, and birds.

Behavior:  Poisonous and dangerous. The Cottonmouth is sometimes seen during the day, but does most of its hunting during the night. It is most famous for its threat display. It does not attempt to escape, but insteads opens its mouth wide displaying its white mouth interior (the cottonmouth). It readily swims and keeps its head out of the water while doing so.

Reproduction:  This species is a live bearer. Adults mate during the spring and fall. One to 15 young are born from August to September.

Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)

Similar Species:

Water Snakes of the genus Nerodia