Cottonmouth
Agkistrodon piscivorus
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Viperidae
Cottonmouth
Range
Southern and southeastern United States
Size
Length: 20 - 74.5 in
Habitat
Aquatic areas, especially swamps and rice fields
Young
1 - 15
Diet
Mainly fish and frogs; also small mammals and snakes
IUCN Status
Least Concern
What's in a Name?
It gets its name from the white lining inside its mouth. This species is also called a water moccasin. It is the most abundant venomous snake in Louisiana.
Nocturnal Hunters, Daytime Basking
Cottonmouths are primarily active at night, but they like to bask on logs and limbs during the day.
Venom
They inject a hemotoxic venom into their prey which breaks down and destroys blood cells and other tissues. It also reduces the ability of blood to coagulate or clot. Total venom replacement actually requires no more than three weeks, even after being fully depleted.