IDENTIFICATION: The Florida cottonmouth, or water
moccasin, is a dark brown, very heavy-bodied snake.
It is usually only about 3 feet long, but the record
length goes to a snake over 6 feet long! The young
cottonmouth is banded with alternating light and
dark brown areas. The one feature found on both
young and old cottonmouths is a dark brown eye
stripe that begins at the nose and goes over the
eyes to the back of the head.
RANGE AND HABITAT: These snakes are usually found
in pine flatwoods, and in or near ponds and streams.
They can be found in any fresh or brackish water
habitat. The cottonmouth lives throughout most
of the southeastern United States.
REPRODUCTION:
Cottonmouths, as well as all pit vipers, do not
lay eggs. The young develop inside
their mothers in a "shell-less" egg.
Mating can occur any time of the year, but the
young are usually born in the summer. They have
been known to have up to a dozen young at a time.
They can only bear young every other year.
DIET: Its main food is frogs and fish, but a
cottonmouth will eat just about anything it can
catch. It uses its venom to kill the animal and
then swallows it whole.
FUTURE: The Florida cottonmouth is a very abundant
species. Its largest threat comes from man because
people often have an exaggerated image of their
temperament. They will often coil if cornered,
but they rarely bite unless they are injured or
stepped on. Like most animals, if it is left alone,
it will leave people alone.
