Cottonmouth Moccasin Snake

The Cottonmouth (also called Cottonmouth Moccasin and Water Moccasin) is a member of the Viper family. It is a heavy bodied, dark brown or black snake with a pattern of broad dark cross bands, which usually grow darker with age. The belly is brown and is heavily blotched with black. There is a deep pit in the side of the head between the eye and the nostril and a broad dark line from the eye to the angle of the jaw. Juveniles have a sulfur yellow tip on their tails with bright, clear patterned markings that look more like it's relative, the Copperhead.

When cornered or threatened, the cottonmouth will open its mouth to show the white, cotton-like lining.

Cottonmouths are found all over the state of Louisiana in every permanent or temporary aquatic habitat. Their primary prey is fish that are small enough to be eaten whole, but they also eat frogs, non-poisonous snakes, birds, squirrels and other rodents.

Female Cottonmouths ovulate during May and give birth during August.

The photo below shows two of the five species of the family Viperidae in Louisiana.

reference: Dundee, Harold A. and Douglas A. Rossman, The Amphibians and Reptiles of Louisiana

Buy Cottonmouth Moccasin Poster by naturegirl7

This Cottonmouth was silently making its way to a little beach by the Tchefuncte River, where Al and I and our two dogs, Rio and Chance were peacefully sitting, enjoying the beautiful day. We would have never know the snake was there if it had not been for Rio. All of a sudden he got up and gave a quick bark, while he did a fake lunge and withdraw move at the snake. The snake promptly turned around and slid back into the water. While Rio continued to patrol the little beach I got this shot of the Cottonmouth.

Because of their bright color, juvenile Cottonmouth snakes are often confused with Copperheads. One distinguishing feature is the yellow tip of the tail. This snake will darken as it ages and it will loose the yellow tip.

Buy Juvenile Cottonmouth Snake by eaglelady1

You should never try to pick up a Cottonmouth.

Most of bites from Cottonmouths occur when someone is either trying to pick one up or when they are accidentally stepped upon. Having said that, let me say that my husband doesn't always listen to me and he has been handling snakes (both poisonous and non-poisonous) since he was quite young. He is an experienced snake handler and always takes the proper precautions when removing a poisonous snake from an inhabited area.

Because of the population explosion of song birds this year, this Cottonmouth was making its home around our bird feeders near the house and had already killed a young Cardinal and a young Blue Jay. So one morning, the opportunity to capture and move the snake presented itself. My husband released it a mile away in an unpopulated area by the Tchefuncte River.

Our maladjusted, rescued Cocker Spaniel is a hero. One morning, on our walk to the Tchefuncte River we were going about our business as usual. Rio and I had spied a photo op along Pruden Creek and were focused on finding the bird that we had just seen fly into the trees. Al was filling up the bird feeder and Chance was sniffing around about 3 feet behind us. All of a sudden I heard a scuffle and turned to see Chance whipping his head back and forth with a Cottonmouth hanging from his throat. I called for Al and stepped towards Chance. Just as I reached him, the snake flew off and hit the ground wiggling to get away. I was able to get a leash on Chance, but he was so enraged that he pulled me towards the Cottonmouth. Al herded the snake away from us and it escaped into a hole. When Chance settled down enough for me to look at his neck, I saw drops of watery blood.

Long ago, our vet told us that dogs don't react to snake bites as violently as humans. Usually a Benadryl tablet taken within an hour of the bite is sufficient treatment for dogs, unless the snake is very large or the bite is in the throat area. Since this bite was on the throat, Chance had to go to his least favorite place in the world, the Vet's office. He was surprisingly calm as Dr. Rusty shaved his neck and gave him injections and we were told to watch the wound for infection. If Chance hadn't scratched it so much, he would have been fine, but a hot spot developed that required more treatment. Eventually the wound healed and Chance is fine now. In fact, the ordeal seems to have tempered him a little and he seems to trust us a little more.

I certainly have a special feeling for him. Chance saved me from a painful and life-threatening bite and I will forever be in the little fellow's debt.

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