Cottonmouth is a venomous snake, a species of pit viper, found in the southeastern United States. 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. Although their aggression has been exaggerated , on rare occasions territorial males will approach intruders in an aggressive manner. This is the world's only semi-aquatic 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.
Ten Facts about Cottonmouth
- The common names for the species include variants on water moccasin, swamp moccasin or black moccasin; viper, Agkistrodon piscivorus and rattler.
- The diet includes other snakes, fish, lizards, turtles, frogs, small birds and alligators and mammals.
- The venom is able to destroy blood cells and reduces the normal coagulation and clotting abilities of the blood. This results in what is called hemorrhage in the parts of the prey's body penetrated by the poison.
- The newly born / hatched snakes are 8-10 inches long (10-25 cm) and 0.75 inches (2 cm) in diameter.
- Adults commonly exceed 80 cm (31.5 in) in length, females growing smaller than males. Occasionally, individuals may exceed 180 cm (71 in) in length, especially in the eastern part of the range.
- Cottonmouths get their name from their defensive habit of gaping their mouths open to expose the white lining of the mouth.
- Spring season is the breeding time for cottonmouth snakes.
- The eggs are developed and hatched inside the female cottonmouth snake. Sometimes the eggs hatch immediately, after laying.
- Normally, 6 -12 cottonmouth snake babies are born.
- Life span: 15-20 years.
