Questions and Answers about Water Moccasin

What is a Water Moccasin?

Water Moccasins are a type of snake that can be found in the Eastern United States. They are also sometimes called Cottonmouths, Black Snakes and Swampsnakes.

What are the different types of water moccasins?

There are many different types of water moccasins. Some of the more commonly known types are: the American Water Moccasin and the Painted Water Moccasin.

What is their diet?

Moccasin snakes mostly eat frogs, fish, birds, small mammals and other snakes.

Where will you find them?

Typically they like to live along streams and ponds on the edges of swamps or near wetlands.

Do water moccasins have a yellow belly?

No! Water Moccasins do not have a yellow belly. Some people falsely believe the water moccasin’s belly is yellow because of what it eats, frogs, toads and other amphibians and that their skin will also turn this color if they eat these foods. In reality it is the sulfur in these animals that turns their skins yellow.

Water Moccasins are related to the Copperhead snake.

What does a water moccasin look like?

The larger water moccasin will be a dark brown to black color. On the back the snake will usually have a pattern of diamond shaped spots, thick black bands and a lighter stripe along the back. It will have pits on its head and neck that are white to yellow in color. The belly of the snake tends to be darker than their backs and it will have some black and brown speckles on its underside. The head of the snake is usually more pointed than copperheads.

How big are they?

These snakes can grow to be around 4 feet to 6 feet in length. They are known for being very thick and muscular with a dark brown or black pattern. You might see them swimming in water, but they mainly stay out of the water when they are hunting.

They have large heads and eyes, and back-shaped heads with a diamond pattern on their scales. These scales help the snake shed water.

Where do water moccasins live?

These snakes live in the eastern part of the United States. They are most common in Florida and Louisiana, and they also can be found in Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and Texas.

How to avoid water moccasins?

Like all snakes, water moccasins will move away when you get too close so it is best to never try to catch or kill them. It is important for the snake to remain hidden in the marshland and it is not safe for people or dogs to be in the marshland either.

• equip yourself by using sticks, snake-proof boots, or other tools to move things around and trying to catch the snake.
• types of equipment for snake bites can be helpful in this case: snake-bite kits, anti-venom, and pressure bandages – if you are bitten by a water moccasin.
• clothes and boots that cover your ankles and legs because water moccasins like to bite on the legs.
• wear bright-colored clothing or wear a brightly colored hat so if you have a snake encounter you can be easily spotted by the boatman and easily rescued.

Steps to avoid water moccasins:

1. Do not enter bushes or tall grasses, particularly if you can see a snake in the area.
2. Stay away from bogs, swamps and marshes; this is where water moccasins typically lurk, and the snakes are hard to spot until they move into attack mode. They typically wait for an animal to walk very close to them before striking out; this is so they can avoid being easily seen as well as giving
3. If you are in a swampy area, or anywhere where snakes might be, walk slowly and do not try to catch them with your hands.
4. If you get very close to a water moccasins’ den, it is likely it will attack. There should never be any need for force to stop a snake attack.
5. If you encounter one of these snakes in the marshland, always give them plenty of room and let them move away safely.
6. If a water moccasin bites you, assume that you are toxic and get to medical help as soon as possible. These snakes frequently deliver what will appear to be a mild bite with little or no injury; however, sometimes these bites are deadly.-

The cottonmouth found along the coastal plain in the southeastern region of the United States has evolved into two separate subspecies. These two subspecies include “Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti” and “Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus”.

Are water moccasins poisonous?

The water moccasin is not poisonous. It has a reputation as being the most venomous snake in North America, but in fact it is not known to be venomous, and the water moccasin does not bite humans (perhaps because of its aquatic lifestyle).

Water moccasins tend to be shy and reclusive animals that are seldom encountered in suburban or urban areas. They spend their lives within a range of a few miles of where they were born, typically along streams or rivers.
In their natural habitat, they are rarely aggressive.

Water moccasins, also known as cottonmouths, can be aggressive when they feel threatened or cornered. They will typically coil and gape to make themselves appear larger and more threatening.

They are fairly large snakes. Adult specimens can reach well over 6 feet in length, although 5 feet is more typical for adults. Their thick bodies can weigh over 13 pounds (6 kg), although 7 pounds (3 kg) is a more typical weight for adult specimens.

What to do if you are bitten by a water moccasin?

First aid for people bitten by a water moccasin is the same as the first aid for any snake bite.

If you are bitten by a cottonmouth, you should get to a hospital as quickly as possible to be treated. The hospital should prepare you for the possibility that you have been bitten by a water moccasin, and follow standard first aid protocols.

Are there any natural predators of water moccasins?

There are plenty of animals that eat snakes, but the water moccasin is pretty well protected from these predators. Mice and other small mammals eat snakes, but they usually don’t have the strength and size to bring down a snake that large or older.

Are water moccasins aggressive?

Water moccasins are not aggressive; on the contrary, these snakes tend to stay hidden away from humans. If you do happen to find one, it will probably try to avoid any interaction with you. However, if it is scared or cornered, a water moccasin may bite.

Do water moccasins lay eggs?

Yes, these snakes lay eggs just like all other snakes in the United States. The female snake will usually make a hole along the bank of a stream or back near the marsh to lay her eggs in.

Are there any dangers from water moccasin bites?

Yes! A bite from a water moccasin can be extremely dangerous. This is because they will become very aggressive when they are threatened.

Do water moccasins swim underwater?

Yes, a water moccasin swims just like any other snake. They tend to stay out of the water when they are hunting though because they don’t like getting wet.

How fast can water moccasins travel?

Water moccasin snakes are very fast. They can move at a speed of 4 to 6 feet per second.

Are there any other facts about water moccasins?

Like all snakes, water moccasins are cold-blooded and they must keep their body temperature at a constant level in order to survive. If a snake loses too much heat through the wind or too much radiation from the sun, it will die.

What is the range of a female water moccasin?

The female water moccasin is usually around 3 feet long.

Do water moccasins hibernate?

No, the water moccasin will not hibernate in the winter. However, some people do think that these snakes enter a state of hibernation when they are cold or when it is raining.

What do you feed a water moccasin?

Water moccasins eat different types of prey depending on what their environment is like. This is because they are cold-blooded; therefore, their meals will depend on how warm or cold it is outside. They are known to eat frogs, fish or small mammals if they can get them.

What do you need to know before handling a water moccasin?

Although these snakes are not very aggressive, you should never try to catch one. They will do whatever they can to protect themselves, including biting you.

How do you tell the difference between male and female water moccasins?

Male water moccasins are usually thicker and much darker in color when compared to the female. The female water moccasin will be a brown or green color with more of a lighter pattern than the male.

How much venom does a water moccasin have?

The water moccasin has 6 different types of venom in its mouth. This is enough to kill an adult human and it will take no longer than 30 minutes for the snake bite to swell and become painful.

What kind of habitat does a water moccasin need?

These snakes can live in any type of habitat such as pine forests, wooded areas or swamps. They can also live in marshlands.