Water Moccasin or Cottonmouth Snake Sculpture

Water Moccasin or Cottonmouth Snake
(Agkistrodon piscivorus) the Western Cottonmouth or (Agkistrodon leucostoma) the Eastern, and Florida Cottonmouth.

      The Water Moccasin or Cottonmouth Snake inhabit swamps and bayous of the Southern United States. aggressive wild reptile that will stand its ground but may become tame in captivity. it is a pit viper like the closely related copperhead, with a heat-sensitive organ for detecting warm-blooded prey. It eats both warm-blooded and cold-blooded animals. A good climber that often relaxes on branches overhanging the water.

Water Moccasin Snake young are born live, are much brighter and often are most similar in color to the Copperhead snake, each with a bright yellow or lime greenish tail tip.

The maximum length of this snake is 6 ft (2 m), the average from 3 to 4 ft (90–120 cm).

Characteristics include: Markings of juveniles are similar to it's cousin the copperhead. Older snakes are darker and grey. Cottonmouth eyes cannot be seen when viewed from above, while watersnake eyes of are visible. Cottonmouths have elliptical pupils and watersnakes have round pupils. Cottonmouths have a facial pit between the nostril and the eye. Water Moccasins have one row of belly scales behind the vent, whereas most all nonvenomous snakes have a double row. When provoked this viper will expose the white interior of it's mouth that gave rise to the common name, ‘Cottonmouth’.

Water Moccasin or Cottonmouth viper Snakes can inflict a highly venomous snake bite! The venom is primarily hemotoxic (or hemorrhagic), affecting blood cells and blood vessels, though some neurotoxic elements (affecting the nervous system) are included. It is alway best to spot, identify and avoid dangerous animals when venturing into thier habitats.