Cottonmouth

The Cottonmouth, also known as the Water Moccasin, is a venomous snake native to the southeastern United States. It is a semi-aquatic snake that spends most of its time in or near water.

The Cottonmouth is known for its unique defensive display, which involves opening its mouth to reveal the white, cottony interior. It is an ambush predator that preys on a variety of animals, including fish, frogs, and small mammals. Its venom is a powerful hemotoxin that can cause swelling, pain, and tissue damage. While its bite can be very dangerous, it is generally shy and avoids human contact.

Cottonmouth

Cottonmouth

Classification

Reptilia > Squamata > Viperidae > Agkistrodon > A. piscivorus

Native To

Conservation Status

Average Height

3 - 4 feet
(0.9 - 1.2 m)

Average Weight

1 - 2 lbs
(0.5 - 0.9 kg)

Average Life Span

10 - 20 years

Gestation Period

140 - 160 days

Diet

Carnivore (fish, amphibians, small mammals)

Social Structure

Solitary

Biomes
(And Habitats)

Did You Know?

The Cottonmouth is a venomous snake found in the southeastern United States.

They get their name from the white, cottony lining inside their mouths, which they display when threatened.

Cottonmouths are semi-aquatic and are often found near water, such as swamps, marshes, and ponds.

They are known for their unique defensive posture, where they coil their body and open their mouth widely to show the white lining.

Cottonmouths are one of the few venomous snakes in North America that give birth to live young.

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