Eastern Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin)

Range: Southeast United States (not found in Smoky Mountains)

Habitat: Terrestrial animal found in varied wet habitats, almost always found near water

Natural Diet: Small mammals, fish

Diet at Rain Forest: Pre-killed rodents

Size: 3-5 feet, very heavy bodied

Status in Wild: Stable. Use caution when approaching wild snakes. This species can be aggressive in defending it's territory. Unlike the majority of wild animals the Cottonmouth will stand it's ground!

The term Cottonmouth is derived from the fact that this snake will open, or gape, it's mouth when threatened. While the mouth is open a white lining that covers the inside of the mouth is exposed, this peculiar method of frightening predators is specific to this snake.

There are three recognized sub-species of Water Moccasins in the United States. The Eastern, Western and Florida. All sub-species resemble each other very closely. Geographical range is one of the only ways in which these animals can be told apart by the novice. The expert can detect slight differences in the features of the snakes.

This snake has very few natural predators. Given the large body size and thick girth of a Cottonmouth even the Kingsnake rarely makes a meal out of the Cottonmouth. As is the case with all aquatic species of snakes the large predatory birds such as Herons etc. will eat young Cottonmouths. Alligators are known to kill and consume Cottonmouths of all sizes.

Mammals such as the raccoon and the opossum present a threat to small or juvenile snakes.

This snake and all of our Pit Vipers in the U.S. are live bearing animals. The Coral snake, (the United States other venomous snake) reproduces by laying eggs. A female Cottonmouth will generally reproduce by her fourth year of age. The larger the female is the greater number of babies she is likely to produce. This species is known to average approximately 8 young per clutch.

When baby Cottonmouths are newborn they have a more brightly colored pattern which can resemble the Copperhead. As the snakes mature they lose their coloration, and in some instances actually become "Stained" by the color of the muddy water bottoms they inhabit.

Many, many a harmless water snake has been killed in the false belief that they are Cottonmouths, both animals are highly aquatic and bear a striking resemblance to each other. One interesting fact about identifying the difference between the harmless water snakes and the venomous cottonmouth is the Cottonmouths ability to float more readily than the harmless water snakes. It has been noted by several authors that the Cottonmouths appear to be "cork like" in their ability to bob in the water with little or no effort.