What is the lifespan of a water moccasin?
Though they can be found in fields, water moccasins usually reside in, along or near bodies of water. These snakes prefer streams, ponds, swamps, marshes and drainage ditches. The lifespan of a water moccasin in the wild is about 15-20 years.
What time of year do water moccasins come out?
spring
The cottonmouth can breed all year but breeds most often in spring. The female carries her eggs inside of her for about five months.
Where do water moccasins go when it gets cold?
In the north, Water moccasins hibernate during the winter. In the southern parts of their range, hibernation may be short or omitted altogether. For hibernation, these snakes use rocky wooded hillsides, burrows of crayfish, tortoises or other mammals, under rotting stumps or other covers.
Is water moccasin and cottonmouth the same snake?
Description: Cottonmouths 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.
Can you smell a water moccasin?
In some places, especially around woodland ponds, you can find western cottonmouths every few yards. Sometimes, you can smell their musky odor in the air. Heat sensors on either side of the snake’s face detect heat and help the cottonmouth to find food.
Where do water moccasins sleep at night?
During the day, water snakes hunt among plants at the water’s edge, looking for small fish, frogs, worms, leeches, crayfish, salamanders, young turtles, and small birds and mammals. At night, they concentrate on minnows and other small fish sleeping in shallow water.
Why do cottonmouths chase you?
When threatened, their characteristic defensive behavior is to hold their mouth open, displaying the white lining in hopes that it will scare away potential predators. Many people will tell you of cottonmouths ‘chasing’ people that get to close, implying that the goal of this behavior is ultimately to bite people.
What animal eats water moccasin?
Dogs, cats, raccoons, wild pigs and other mammals occasionally prey on the water moccasin, but the most common mammalian predator of a water moccasin is the opossum. Opossums are known for a rodent-like appearance and a fierce nature when it comes to killing their prey.
Will a Water Moccasin Kill You?
Deaths from water moccasin bites are very rare. They have just enough venom to kill a fully-grown person, but snakes don’t use all of their venom at once. They only stand a good chance of killing you if they bite you several times, if you’re already weak, or if you’re young or old.
Can water moccasins swim underwater?
The Answer: Yes. Snakes can open their mouths and bite if provoked underwater. Although the water moccasin, or cottonmouth snake , prefers to lounge on logs or tree limbs at water’s edge, it has been known to capture its food while swimming underwater. By the way, rattlesnakes have the ability to swim and bite underwater as well.
Where do water moccasins hibernate?
In the north, Water moccasins hibernate during the winter. In the southern parts of their range, hibernation may be short or omitted altogether. For hibernation, these snakes use rocky wooded hillsides, burrows of crayfish, tortoises or other mammals, under rotting stumps or other covers.
What does water moccasin snake look like?
The water moccasin’s average size is between 50 to 55 inches. Adults have dark tan to black skin with faint dark brown or black crossbands. Young snakes have brown or orange crossbands with a yellow tail. These snakes are found in the southeastern states, usually in or near water.
