Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) are venomous semi-aquatic snakes often referred to as “water moccasins.” They have large, triangular heads with a dark line through the eye, elliptical pupils, and large jowls due to the venom glands. They are large – typically 24 - 48 in (61 - 122 cm), occasionally larger, keeled-scaled, heavy-bodied snakes. Their coloration is highly variable: they can be beautifully marked with dark crossbands on a brown and yellow ground color or completely brown or black. Older adults are often dark and solid-colored whereas the juveniles are brightly patterned with a sulphur yellow tail tip that they wiggle to attract prey. The belly typically has dark and brownish-yellow blotches with the underside of the tail being black. As pit-vipers they have facial pits that sense heat and are used to detect prey and predators. Male cottonmouths are larger than females.
Gallery
Books
.jpeg "The Animal Atlas (5).jpeg (2.39 MB)")
.jpeg "Reptiles and Amphibians Dictionary (6).jpeg (1.93 MB)")
_(2).jpeg "Fangs (Heather Dakota) (2).jpeg (1.44 MB)")
.jpeg "Predator Splashdown (19).jpeg (1.76 MB)")
.jpeg "DK Encyclopedia Of Animals (152).jpeg (1.74 MB)")
.jpeg "The Great Animal Search (3).jpeg (2.53 MB)")
