Aquatic? Deadly? Good at Camouflage? Facts About Cottonmouth

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Squamata

Suborder: Serpentes

Family: Viperidae

Genus: Agkistrodon

Species: A. piscivorus

Scientific Name: Agkistrodon Piscivorus

Cottonmouth is a venomous pit viper endemic to the southeastern United States.  It is also the world's only semiaquatic pit viper.

-Is cottonmouth a species of pit viper?

Yes. Like pit vipers, it have massive venom glands and a very triangular-shaped head with a much girthier flattened body. And it has rough keeled scales which allows it to be able to move quickly through the rugged environment.  Between the nostril and the eyes, there a hole: heat-sensing pit, which allows this snake to detect not only their prey, but potential predator in the environment.

-If I encounter the Cottonmouth, what would it do to me?

Depending on how your body reacted, this snake could potentially kill you. If you just stay calm and collected, you should be just fine.

-What should I do if I was bitten by this snake?

There are not many reported deaths from cottonmouth bites. However, its venom is incredibly toxic and it will break down your red blood cells. You can lose a finger, even lose your hand. If tagged by the cottonmouth, you will be in great trouble. So please directly head to the hospital. 

-Does Cottonmouth lives in water?

Like water snakes, it is aquatic. However, it does not dive down under water to hunt. This snake is occasionally moving from pocket of water to pocket of water, but they usually hunting on the embarkment. You don't often see them slithering like a water snake. They are often just curled up somewhere trying to stay camouflaged and stay away from any potential predators. 

-How a cottonmouth defense?

This has many different defenses against predators.  It does not have rattles like rattlesnakes and they rely on their camouflage to keep them hidden. It is really good at camouflage, so it is just an obscure shape up against the tree it habitats. You don't often see them slithering like a water snake. A lot of times people will be walking down a trail, you accidentally step on the snake, and that is how you got bitten. This snake has no interest in chasing or hurting human. If you just admire it from a safe distance, you will be just fine. 

If it perceives danger or death, it will be musking, which is a final defense tactic in the event that something tries to eat it. The musk is coming out their bottom ends, if you are the predator, it will taste really bad in your mouth.