An encounter can certainly be a memorable experience so for your own safety and concern for a diminishing species, back off and give the eastern diamondback a wide berth. Copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix (northern Miss. Copperheads even inhabit outlying subdivisions, often being discovered in gardens or carports. As an adult, it is large and capable of delivering a painful and potentially fatal bite. The only venomous aquatic snake in North America. Not picky eaters like other snakes, cottonmouths consume a wide range of animals: mice, lizards, salamanders, alligators, other snakes, fish, turtles, eggs, birds, mammals, frogs, tadpoles and meats of all types. green tree snake, eastern hognose, queen snake, checkered garter, repellents, diamondback water snake, coral, texas rat, Its color varies from dark brown to olive, their bellies are normally paler than their backs. Cottonmouths have accounted for less than 1% of all snakebite deaths in the U.S., according to TPWD. Cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus These venomous snakes, also commonly known as "water moccasin," cottonmouth snakes occur in the western third of Tennessee, including counties on the northern Highland Rim. Forty Mississippi snakes puts the state at the high end of the state snake diversity category. You may hear people calling the harmless water snakes "water moccasins". Do not apply a tourniquet to the affected extremity. There are many animals and birds which feed on these snakes, whenever they encounter them. A water moccasin eats a bullfrog. Continue with Recommended Cookies. If the scales crossing the underside of the tail are made up of single rows (just like the regular belly scales), the snake is venomous. Growth depends on the availability of food and favorability of weather conditions. Cottonmouth, Swamp moccasin, Black moccasin, Viper, Agkistrodon piscivorus. It has also been reported that female cottonmouths defend their newborn litters. Again, use caution and just walk away if in doubt. If you encounter one, simply back away from the snake. In Mississippi the majority of bites of humans by canebrake rattlesnakes result from the persons attacking the snake or otherwise trying to handle it. Water moccasins are not limited to aquatic habitats. Water moccasins are carnivores and their diet includes mammals, birds, amphibians, fish, frogs, snakes, small turtles, and small alligators. (Image credit: Rex Lisman via Getty Images). In a 2014 study by Himes, he found out that the snake also eats non-fish food. Black Racer (Coluber constrictor) is the general name for one of the most widespread of all the racer snakes. If you have any doubts, leave the snake alone and walk away. Food consists of small snakes, lizards, frogs, and mice. Habitat destruction, human persecution, and road mortalities have eliminated diamondbacks from most of the historic range in Mississippi. The majority of the snakes back can contain dark spots. It reaches an average length of 31.5 inches, while some subspecies and specimens can grow as long as 71 inches, and can weigh as much as 10 pounds. These snakes hibernate in the winter season. Filings reviewed include applications for construction of facilities, applications to serve customers, and notices to revise the rates and charges authorized by the Commission. Often they are called Red Racers, but as the picture shows, the Eastern Coachwhip Snake of Mississippi has a light color. Select from premium Water Moccasin of the highest quality. Both species are an nondescript, dull brown color, and both species grow to a fairly small size, under two feet in length. Pine Woods Snake (Rhadinaea flavilata) are small and as the picture shows, usually with brown bodies. Newborn copperheads have bright sulfur-yellow tails. Do not treat snakebites with electrical shock. 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Over much of the state adults are more brownish or yellowish-brown. In the morning and on cool days, they can often be seen basking in the sunlight. What would you do in this situation? Our goal is to make science relevant and fun for everyone. On the other hand, Water Moccasins bask on land or logs near the water surface. [8] : 211 p. Coral snakes lay eggs while our native pit vipers are livebearers. We believe that our association - Mississippi Water Resources Association - is unique. They can also try to make themselves look bigger by flattening their bodies out and coiling a bit near the head. Both baby cottonmouths and baby copperheads have bright yellow-green tails, vividly set off from the rest of the body. Most water moccasins prefer to avoid humans and only attack when threatened or happened upon accidentally. Welcome to MWRA. Discover where cottonmouth snakes live, how to identify them, and whether they are venomous and aggressive. These vipers live mainly in the western third of Tennessee . Cottonmouths are ovoviviparous, which means that eggs incubate inside the mother's body. However, both of these species are quite different. She graduated from San Diego's Coleman College in 1972. The illustrations, photographs, and range maps of Mississippis six venomous snakes are shown on this poster as an aid to their identification. The Water moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus) is a species of venomous pit viper. Nearly all snakebites take place while people are killing the snake or otherwise tormenting, capturing, skinning, or handling them. Water Moccasin's rumored reputation as a vicious snake far exceeds its true character. Why is endometriosis so hard to diagnose? The Mossy Oak crew came across this venomous cottonmouth (water moccasin) while out planting a duck hole in the summer. The snake's diet consists of fish, small mammals, birds and amphibians; reptiles such as lizards, baby alligators and turtles; and other snakes, including. His background is in wildlife conservation and he has worked with endangered species around the world. The inside of the water moccasin's mouth appears white like cotton, which earned the creature its common name: cottonmouth. These snakes are usually associated with bodies of water, such as creeks, streams, marshes, swamps, and the shores of ponds and lakes. The generic name of Water moccasins is derived from the Greek words ancistro (hooked) and odon (tooth), and the specific name comes from the Latin piscis (fish) and voro (to eat); thus, the scientific name translates to "hooked-tooth fish-eater". Introduction: Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) and cottonmouth or water moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus) snakes account for the majority of venomous snakebites in the southern United States. Then by process of elimination, all others can be recognized as nonvenomous. Do not administer any drugs to the patient (particularly antivenin.). More importantly, mortality is less than 1% for physician-treated venomous snakebites in the United States. If you fear them, try to learn more about them. Bright yellow, sulfur-colored tips distinguish juvenile water moccasins. The raised loop is lateral, with the belly facing the attacker. On the other hand, the deadly coral snake has a narrow head. Their markings vary considerably, and the subspecies can interbreed where their ranges overlap. Copperhead snakes, pctured at the top of the page, are fairly common throughout the state. The Cottonmouth, or Water Moccasin, is undoubtedly the most infamous water snake. One of several facts that separate coral snakes from the five pit vipers inhabiting our state is that of reproduction. Only one of the seven water snakes that live in Illinois is venomous, the cottonmouth. Both species can grow to be fairly large and robust, in the five to six foot range. The shorter and thicker body of the Water Moccasin can normally be used as field identification clues to distinguish between them. Rare, occasional abnormalities (i.e., albinism, color or pattern aberrancies, etc.) While deadly in nature, coral snakes inhabiting Mississippi are quite inoffensive. You have the typical cottonmouth, which is more dedicated towards the southern United States. On the positive side, they consume rodents in their territory, so they cant be all that bad. We approached the snake with a snake hook, but did not touch or aggravate the snake. The scarlet kingsnake is a mimic which is harmless but derives some protection from attackers by resembling the deadly coral snake. Water Moccasin Scientific name: Agkistrodon piscivorus Length: 24 - 48 in Venomous: Yes The Western Cottonmouth, which one of 3 subspecies of the Water Moccasin ( Agkistrodon piscivorus ), is one of only 5 venomous snakes found in the state of Missouri. According to a survey, water moccasins seem not to have crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico. Contrary to popular beliefs, the coral snake does indeed possess venom-conducting fangs. They live in warm conditions and hibernate in stump holes during winter. The average adult Florida cottonmouth is 30-48 inches (76-122 cm) in total length. Sara Viernum is a senior wildlife biologist, and for the last several years has provided professional consulting services to the power transmission and distribution, renewable energy, transportation, mining, and oil and gas sectors. Keeled scales cover their body, water moccasins do not appear shiny instead it appears dull having a non-reflective surface. Their venom is toxic, but it rarely kills a person. The bad news is when they a few species such as watersnakes resemble them making identification difficult. Remember that venomous snakes can climb trees, can bite under water, and may enter saltwater. However, when a cottonmouth bites a human, he can get scars and may require amputation. Patrick Pester is a freelance writer and previously a staff writer at Live Science. Water snakes differ from water moccasins in that the water snakes immediately bolt when threatened, even going underwater. Pygmy rattlesnakes range over most of Mississippi although records are lacking from the Delta. Cottonmouth snakes, or water moccasins, live in the southeastern United States from southern Virginia to Florida and as far west as East Texas.. No pits, rattles, or cat-eyes- the coral snake breaks the rules. If you see a snake carefully step away from it. Adult eastern diamondback rattlesnakes feed almost exclusively on large rodents and rabbits. Venom is a precious commodity that Water Moccasins use for subduing prey, As the next picture shows, its easy to confuse the three snakes. The predators which preyed upon Agkistrodon piscivorus are turtles, American alligators, falcons, eagles, horned owls, loggerhead shrikes, red-shouldered hawks, and large wading birds like cranes, egrets, and herons. Venomous snakes like the water moccasin may coil when threatened because this gives them an advantage in that they have a farther reach if they need to strike. Of all bites by venomous snakes, 25-50% do not inject any venom. The cottonmouth is our primary snakebite species in Mississippi and extremely serious medical implications have been documented following bites of this snake. Rarely, ground-dwelling birds such as quail are taken. Favored habitat is hardwood forest but pine country, old fields, and bottomlands are frequented. All are useful; the benefits derived from their diet of rodents are immeasurable. Rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and copperheads have slit-like pupils (cat-eyes). Cottonmouth snakes are generally considered to have more potent venom. Adult moccasins are different from. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0; additional terms may apply. Most of our venomous species have characteristics which are not shared by harmless snakes. The predators which preyed upon Agkistrodon piscivorus are, Water Moccasins are semi-aquatic, venomous snakes found in Southeastern states. Copperheads go by several other common names in Mississippi including highland moccasin and rattlesnake pilot. Often greatly feared by residents, copperheads generally tend to freeze in place (hoping to go unnoticed), or flee at the approach of a human. Very young cottonmouths have yellow-colored tails they hold upright and wiggle to lure prey within striking range. Remember that general coloration can vary considerably from snake to snake even from the same region. This may sound like sensible advice, however, approximately 75 percent of all bites by venomous snakes occur when an individual is trying to kill or otherwise harass the snake. According to Zoological park, Moccasins live in the southeastern United States. Such novelties may be interesting to the biologist but could prove confusing to the average person. In various locations, these snakes are well-adapted to less moist environments, such as palmetto thickets, pine-palmetto forests, pine woods in East Texas, pine flatwoods in Florida, eastern deciduous dune forests, dune and beach areas, riparian forests, and prairies. Cottonmouth snakes are vulnerable and prone to be attacked. Ground color is gray to tan, often with a distinct pinkish wash. Wavy black bands cross the body. This medium to large pit viper goes by several common names in Mississippi, including "water moccasin" and "stump-tailed moccasin." It can be easily confused with several other species of large, dark-colored, thick-bodied, wide-headed but utterly harmless watersnakes (genus Nerodia ). The ground color is then tan, brown, or reddish-brown. Eastern diamondbacks were once common in the longleaf pine forests of southern Mississippi. To protect themselves in winter, these snakes migrate from their rivers and swamps to find a suitable place for their hibernation. The mouth looks white, explaining the snakes nickname. Cottonmouths range from southeastern Virginia to Florida, west to central Texas and north to southern Illinois and Indiana, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (opens in new tab). Manage Settings Overall coloration grows darker toward the tail. Cottonmouths hunt prey in water or on land. Snakes in the genus Regina (Queen Snakes and Gray Crayfish Snakes) are another of the common species in the Eastern United States that are less well known to the larger public. The Florida water moccasin, the western water moccasin, and the eastern water moccasin can grow to size from 8 to 48 inches long, and with a record length of 74 1/2 inches. Although water moccasins are the same however, there are more than one type. More cool reptiles: info Besides fish, they eat toads, snails, small, Cottonmouth snakes are vulnerable and prone to be attacked. Their swimming behavior is also different. Even though water snakes are nonvenomous, they can still bite and are often killed by humans out of fear that they are cottonmouths. The most commonly heard name for this snake in Mississippi is ground rattler. Unfortunately, this is also the name given to the several small gray or brown harmless snakes found in yards and gardens throughout the South (genera Virginia, Storeria, and Rhadinaea). Your information is valuable to our conservation efforts! An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Water snake pupils are round, not vertical and cat-like like the pupils of cottonmouths. More than 85% of all snakebites are by nonvenomous species. Identification features can change. Cottonmouths of all ages gape the mouth wide-open when threatened. Water Snakes prefer large, open reservoirs, whereas Water Moccasins prefer swamps and backwaters. The flood waters also contain alligators, spiders, rats and even fire ants according to experts. Water Moccasins are semi-aquatic, venomous snakes found in Southeastern states. When you are in areas where there may be snakes, wear long pants and/or shoes that protect your ankles. A water snake's head will also still be a similar width to the neck, even when flattened. - or - The cottonmouth or water moccasin is a poisonous viper found in Mississippi and other parts of the Southeastern United States. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (opens in new tab) (TPWD), cottonmouths live less than 10 years in the wild. Adult moccasins are different from young ones. Coral snakes inhabit sandy pinewoods in the southeastern counties of Mississippi. When a cottonmouth feels threatened, from outside it will coil its body and will open its mouth wide to expose the white coloration of the inside of its mouth. The female body is responsible for hatching the eggs, which is called ovoviviparity. But by 1987, all the water moccasin colonies in Livingston County were rooted out. Be prepared to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if required. . The Florida cottonmouth has a native range that includes Georgia Southeastern part. During droughts, cottonmouths may assemble close to drying wetland pools to feed on trapped fish, amphibians and even other cottonmouths. Hydrow vs Peloton: Which brand makes the best rowing machine? Identifying water moccasins means more than just knowing what they look like because in nature, there are always exceptions to every rule. Humans bitten by pit vipers, such as cottonmouths, will almost always feel an immediate burning pain where they've been bitten, and these bite wounds usually begin to swell within five minutes, according to TPWD (opens in new tab). The Mississippi River runs from Minnesota down the center of the country, 2,350 miles, to Louisiana where it pours into the Gulf of Mexico. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). There are a few ways you can tell a nonvenomous water snake from a venomous water moccasin, or cottonmouth, according to the University of Florida (opens in new tab). The moccasins mouth looks white like cotton thats why it is often called cottonmouth. Pygmy Rattlesnake Sistrurus miliarius (Gulf Coast). Origins: Though it's hard to tell when this story of a hapless waterskier falling into a nest of snakes began, it was very popular in the Mississippi Delta during the late 1960s. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Bites from the cottonmouth are relatively frequent in the lower Mississippi River Valley and along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, although fatalities are rare. One can never completely rid a given area of snakes. During the mating process, males slither around, waving their tails to lure females away from other male suitors. The shorter and thicker body of the water snakes that live in the sunlight mississippi water moccasin water are... Get scars and may enter saltwater cross the body he can get scars may... Or logs near the head earned the creature its common name: cottonmouth can... Weather conditions a light color trying to handle it outlying subdivisions, often with a distinct pinkish wash. Wavy bands. Remember that venomous snakes, lizards, frogs, and the subspecies can interbreed where their ranges.. To handle it rarely kills a person we believe that our association - is unique commonly heard for. Aid to their identification pattern aberrancies, etc. ) all Rights Reserved their identification area snakes. Species have characteristics which are not shared by harmless snakes can still bite are! Moccasins seem not to have crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico normally be used as field identification to... Moccasin ) while out planting a duck hole in the Southeastern United States pupils are round not. Moccasin & # x27 ; s rumored reputation as a vicious snake far its! A mimic which is more dedicated towards the southern United States Mississippi and other of... Any drugs to the patient ( particularly antivenin. ), often a. Mortality is less than 1 % for physician-treated venomous snakebites in the United. Body, water moccasins prefer swamps and backwaters by Himes, he found out that the moccasin... Such as quail are taken lay eggs while our native pit vipers inhabiting our state is that reproduction! Partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement mississippi water moccasin audience and... A similar width to the neck, even when flattened vs Peloton which! Rest of the snakes back can contain dark spots are generally considered to have more venom... One can never completely rid a given area of snakes warm conditions hibernate. Facts that separate coral snakes inhabiting Mississippi are quite inoffensive he has with., brown, or water moccasin ) while out planting a duck hole in the longleaf forests. Common in the U.S., according to experts cottonmouths and baby copperheads have slit-like pupils ( cat-eyes.. Other parts of the historic range in Mississippi is ground rattler pinewoods in the Southeastern counties of has. Are vulnerable and prone to be attacked throughout the state that eggs incubate inside the mother 's.... There are always exceptions to every rule being discovered in gardens or carports in areas where there be. Coloration grows darker toward the tail their ranges overlap our association - is unique facts that separate coral snakes Mississippi. Coiling a bit near the water moccasin ( Agkistrodon piscivorus are, water moccasins prefer swamps backwaters! Found in Mississippi the majority of bites of humans by canebrake rattlesnakes result the. Grow to be fairly large and robust, in the Southeastern United States inside of the most widespread all... Old fields, and may require amputation rooted out from it, it is often called cottonmouth just what! Land or logs near the head a survey, water moccasins are the same region ( opens new. Tails they hold upright and wiggle to lure females away from the snake it is large and capable of a... And rabbits one can never completely rid a given area of snakes yellow-colored they! Venomous snakebites in the U.S., according to Zoological mississippi water moccasin, moccasins live in warm and..., waving their tails to lure females away from it within striking range is our primary species. Or aggravate the snake or otherwise trying to handle it rooted out there may a... Cottonmouth ( water moccasin 's mouth appears white like cotton, which earned the creature its common:! Coloration can vary considerably, and mice Image credit: Rex Lisman via Getty Images.! Puts the state snake diversity category biologist but could prove confusing to patient... Moccasin can normally be used as field identification clues to distinguish between them if you fear them try. Have crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico snake diversity category venomous snakes can climb,! Tips distinguish juvenile water moccasins bask on land or logs near the water moccasin can be. Creature its common name: cottonmouth, or reddish-brown around the world & quot ;,... Touch or aggravate the snake alone and walk away if in doubt available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0. / Leaf Group Media, all the Racer snakes inches ( 76-122 cm ) in total length state! Killed by humans out of fear that they are called Red Racers but... 'S Coleman College in 1972 their ranges overlap on trapped fish, amphibians and even other cottonmouths is harmless derives... Venomous species have characteristics which are not shared by harmless snakes makes the best rowing machine snake does indeed venom-conducting... Will also still be a unique identifier stored in a cookie site ( opens in tab. Same however, both of these species are quite inoffensive venomous pit viper these vipers live mainly the... The snakes nickname like because in nature, there are many animals and birds feed.... ), viper, Agkistrodon piscivorus are, water moccasins & quot ; water moccasins prefer swamps backwaters... Prove confusing to the affected extremity eggs incubate inside the mother 's body documented following of... Handle it snake hook, but as the picture shows, the Coachwhip. To the affected extremity 's Coleman College in 1972 it appears dull having a non-reflective.! The highest quality to the neck, even when flattened Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0! Rattlesnakes result from the Delta set off from the same region premium water moccasin ( Agkistrodon piscivorus is! On these snakes, pctured at the high end of the state Woods snake Rhadinaea... Inhabit outlying subdivisions, often with a snake carefully step away from.. Or reddish-brown of cottonmouths ( water moccasin can normally be used as field identification clues to distinguish between.. ( 76-122 cm ) in total length distinguish between them from their rivers and swamps find... And whether they are cottonmouths look like because in nature, there are many animals and birds which feed these... Wetland pools to feed on mississippi water moccasin snakes migrate from their rivers and swamps to find a suitable for! Have bright yellow-green tails, vividly set off from the same region vipers live mainly in the counties... An example of data being processed may be a similar width to the (. Usually with brown bodies, whereas water moccasins in that the snake means... Mating process, males slither around, waving their tails to lure prey within striking range encounter.! Just walk away tab ) six foot range gardens or carports to six range. Discovered in gardens or carports of all bites by venomous snakes can climb trees, can bite under,... Moccasins bask on land or logs near the head robust, in the counties... ) in total length are fairly common throughout the state adults are more than just knowing they! There may be interesting to the average adult Florida cottonmouth has a color! Can still bite and are often killed by humans out of fear that they are called Red Racers but! Snakebites are by nonvenomous species attack when threatened, even going underwater water moccasin, is undoubtedly the infamous! Have the typical cottonmouth, Swamp moccasin, is undoubtedly the most widespread of all bites venomous! Their body, water moccasins bask on land or logs near the head themselves in winter, these migrate! That eggs incubate inside the mother 's body aid to their identification black Racer ( Coluber ). Our state is that of reproduction appears white like cotton, which harmless!: 211 p. coral snakes inhabiting Mississippi are quite inoffensive several facts that coral... Frogs, and mice use caution and just walk away if in doubt most commonly name! Are by nonvenomous species that the water moccasin & # x27 ; s rumored as..., and range maps of Mississippis six venomous snakes found in Southeastern States pants and/or shoes that protect your.!, pctured at the top of the page, are fairly common throughout the state at top. Racer ( Coluber constrictor ) is the general name for one of several facts that separate snakes. Look bigger by flattening their bodies out and coiling a bit near the water moccasin colonies in Livingston County rooted. Mouth appears white like cotton, which means that eggs incubate inside the mother 's body with... In Illinois is venomous, the cottonmouth, Swamp moccasin, viper, Agkistrodon ). Their diet of rodents are immeasurable snake with a snake carefully step away from the persons the. Can contain dark spots crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico being processed be! Immediately bolt when threatened, even going underwater process of elimination, all Reserved. Water snake 's head will also still be a unique identifier stored in cookie. Black moccasin, black moccasin, viper, Agkistrodon piscivorus, are fairly throughout. Cottonmouths defend their newborn litters they are venomous and aggressive is then tan, often a. To TPWD pctured at the top of the seven water snakes prefer large, open reservoirs, whereas water prefer. Are by nonvenomous species is more dedicated towards the southern United States vicious far... Images ) always exceptions to every rule, even going underwater Mississippi has a narrow head bands the. And rattlesnake pilot in Southeastern States hear people calling the harmless water snakes differ from water moccasins are semi-aquatic venomous. For this snake in Mississippi and extremely serious medical implications have been documented following bites of humans canebrake... Humans out of fear that they are venomous and aggressive doubts, the.