# Cottonmouth (*Agkistrodon piscivorus*) The Cottonmouth, also known as the Water Moccasin, is a semi-aquatic snake. It has a thick body and can often be seen swimming in water. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme - **Snaps:** 41 - **Habitat:** Swamps, rivers, and wetlands. - **Also known as:** Swamp Moccasin, Water Moccasin ![Cottonmouth](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426118/objects/5608.jpg) ## Appearance The Cottonmouth is a stout, heavy-bodied snake, typically dark olive, brown, or black, often with faded crossbands. It has a distinctive triangular head with keeled scales and a light-colored, upward-sloping snout. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Viperidae - **Genus:** Agkistrodon ## Interesting facts - Baby cottonmouths have a bright yellow tail tip which they wiggle to lure unsuspecting prey! - Cottonmouths can play dead by staying perfectly still when they feel threatened! - They are also known as 'water moccasins' because they often live near water. - This snake is the only venomous water snake found in North America! ## Special abilities - **Heat Vision:** Cottonmouth can detect warm-blooded prey using heat-sensing pits on its face, which helps them hunt in darkness. - **Underwater Hunter:** Cottonmouth can hunt fish and frogs in water because it is semi-aquatic and a strong swimmer. - **Warning Flash:** Cottonmouth has a bright white mouth interior that it flashes open as a warning, startling predators. - **Venomous Bite:** Cottonmouth has powerful venom that helps them quickly subdue their prey and defend against threats. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 75-120 cm - **Weight:** 0.2-1.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-20 years - **Speed:** 3 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 5-15 - **Maximum Depth:** 3 m ## Diet & Feeding Eats fish, frogs, and small animals found in or near the water. - **Age differences:** Young cottonmouths primarily eat insects and small invertebrates, shifting to vertebrates as they grow. - **Primary Foods:** Fish, Frogs, Rodents, Lizards, Other snakes, Young birds - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Bullfrog (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Eats these large frogs found near water. - **Hunts:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — Preys on smaller or sick fish in aquatic habitats. - **Eaten by:** [American Alligator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-alligator) (*Alligator mississippiensis*) — Adult alligators are known predators of cottonmouths. - **Hunts:** [Hispid Cotton Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hispid-cotton-rat) (*Sigmodon hispidus*) — Captures these rodents near water sources. ## Traits - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cottonmouth? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Cottonmouth? 75-120 cm ### How much does Cottonmouth weigh? 0.2-1.5 kg ### How long does Cottonmouth live? 10-20 years ### How fast can Cottonmouth move? 3 km/h ### What does Cottonmouth eat? Eats fish, frogs, and small animals found in or near the water. ### How fast can Cottonmouth swim? 5 km/h ### Where is Cottonmouth usually found? Swamps, rivers, and wetlands. ## Where to spot - [Broadmoor](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadmoor) — Louisiana, US · Neighborhood - [Locust Grove State Historic Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/locust-grove-state-historic-site) — Louisiana, US · Nature Reserve - [Louisiana Purchase State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/louisiana-purchase-state-park) — Arkansas, US · State Park - [Clover Bend Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/clover-bend-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Demopolis Town Square](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/demopolis-town-square) — Alabama, US · Park - [Fayette County Courthouse Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fayette-county-courthouse-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District [View all places to see Cottonmouth](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cottonmouth) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Cottonmouth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cottonmouth)