Poor snakes. Water moccasins have dark stripes by each nostril and pale snouts, which can be helpful in identifying features. The water moccasin is considered the largest species within the genus Agkistrodon. The water moccasin snake or cottonmouth is considered as a type of pit viper and capable of delivering a painful and deadly bite in severe cases. As a pit viper, the water moccasin has the distinctive, wide-jawed, wedge-shaped head, and water snakes do not. If you want to know how to identify a water moccasin or a cottonmouth and ensure your safety in the wilderness, check the instructions right away. They are dark green to dark brown in color with darker brown or black markings all up and down the length of their body. This article provides important information on these snakes, like identifying it with pictures and the snake's bite and treatment. How to identify a WATER MOCCASIN If you enjoy water sports or hiking near water (even if you only cross over a stream), there's a chance you could run across Agkistrodon piscivorus, the common water moccasin. There are three subspecies within this species. BODY SIZE. The difference is most notable when comparing the heads of both snakes. It is also locally referred to by other names like mangrove rattler, stub-tail snake, black moccasin, water pilot, gaper, snap jaw, swamp lion, water mamba, and trap jaw. Both copperheads and water moccasins are pit vipers, which have distinctively diamond-shaped heads. Cottonmouth Appearance: Cottonmouth snakes, otherwise known as water moccasins, are a medium sized snake, often growing to be four feet in length, and I've even seen up to five feet. In the poisonous category, the first group consists of snakes from the Elapidae family, including the western and eastern coral snakes and the yellowbelly sea snake, all of which inhabit humid, subtropical areas. They may be water snakes but i can't take the risks and definitely can't have them in the house even if they are just water … As a pit viper, the water moccasin has the distinctive, wide-jawed, wedge-shaped head, and water snakes do not. How to identify a WATER MOCCASIN If you enjoy water sports or hiking near water (even if you only cross over a stream), there's a chance you could run across Agkistrodon piscivorus, the common water moccasin. Water moccasins thrive in the southeastern parts of the U.S. but often get confused with non-poisonous water snakes. Water moccasins thrive in the southeastern parts of the U.S. but often get confused with non-poisonous water snakes. VENOMOUS. Identifying a water moccasin snake. While the cottonmouth moccasin and the water moccasin are, in fact, the same snake, it pays to err on the safe side when dealing with snakes. 5 Simple Steps To Identify The Snake You Are Dealing With. The cottonmouth, otherwise knows as a water moccasin, is one of the most feared snakes in North America. The water moccasin is typically between 20 and 48 inches long. As a pit viper, the water moccasin has the distinctive, wide-jawed, wedge-shaped head, and water snakes do not. How to Identify the Cottonmouth or Water Moccasin. There are three subspecies within. The water moccasin, or cottonmouth, is a venomous pit viper snake species found in southeastern parts of the United States. The female Water Moccasin will have a gestational period of three to four months. A Water Moccasin and a Cottonmouth are the same species of snake, Agkistrodon piscivorus “hooked-tooth fish-eater”. They spend most of their time in the water and when people have gone there to bath or to fish they are bitten. Identify the snake. Many harmless water snakes are killed in their stead. How to Identify a Texas Water Moccasin. The inside area of the mouth of a water moccasin is white in color and hence the name cottonmouth. Luckily, the Texas water moccasin, or cottonmouth, is the only poisonous water snake in the United States, making it easier to identify when you know what you’re looking for. Old wive’s tales and stories say that this snake is highly aggressive and even downright evil, but nothing could be further from the truth. I'm not sure which name is more popular. The water moccasin snake is one of the most venomous snakes in the North America. Like the water moccasin, the simple and common water snake will also bite, but there are a few ways for you to distinguish between the two and save yourself from being seriously injured. These snakes spend most of their time in water and usually bite when people bath or go fishing in the water. Best ways to tell watersnakes and Water Moccasins apart: 1. These snakes, like the northern water snake, broad-banded water snake, yellow-bellied water snake and the Mississippi green water snake can superficially resemble a cottonmouth due to their dark, dull coloration, rough scales and the uniform bands around their bodies. Baby water moccasins in my house!!!!!? Water Moccasin Snake – Agkistrodon piscivorus Introduction. There are instances where larger individuals have been found. Identify the snake. THICK, HEAVY BODIES: Venomous Water Moccasins have bodies that are VERY thick and heavy for their length, and short, thick tails. After the babies come to term the female snake will give live birth up to 12 young which will be completely independent as soon as they are born. They can give a bite that is very painful and it could be deadly in extreme cases. The Body. A harmless snake the same length would be much more slender and would have a much longer, thinner tail (see below).