Wildlife North America . com North American Animals - mamals, birds, reptiles, insects |
Florida Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti)Florida Cottonmouth at Big Cypress National Preserve, FL Photograph by Athene cunicularia. Some rights reserved. (view image details) Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti Photograph by Patrick JEAN / muséum d'histoire naturelle de Nantes. License: CopyrightedFreeUse. (view image details)
FLORIDA COTTONMOUTH FACTS
DescriptionThe Florida Cottonmouth is similar in pattern to A. p. piscivorus but has dark brown cheek stripe bordered above and below by narrow light lines. It has two dark stripes at the front of the lower jaw, and two dark vertical stripes at the tip of the snout. Mature specimens often lack any pattern on the back. Other Names Water moccasin Size length up to 180cm Environment found in thickets along the edges of ponds, around woodland near water, swamps Food feeds on fish, mammals, birds, small reptiles Breeding This species is ovoviviparous. Females give birth to 6-8 young (sometimes up to 16) in August or September. Newborn snakes are about 18cm in length. Range found in far south of Georgia, Florida and islands off Florida coast Notes Cottonmouths get their name from the white lining of the mouth cavity. When approached they may try to escape, but will put on a threat display if confronted. They are venomous and can give a dangerous bite. Bites can cause severe bleeding and damage to tissue. If bitten, seek immediate medical attention. Young cottonmouths have fully functional fangs and are also dangerous. Classification
Relatives in same Genus Common Cantil (A. bilineatus bilineatus) Ornate Cantil (A. bilineatus taylori) Southern Copperhead (A. contortrix contortrix) Broad-banded Copperhead (A. contortrix laticinctus) Northern Copperhead (A. contortrix mokasen) Osage Copperhead (A. contortrix phaeogaster) Trans-pecos Copperhead (A. contortrix pictigaster) Western Cottonmouth (A. piscivorus leucostoma) Eastern Cottonmouth (A. piscivorus piscivorus) Home | Mammals | Reptiles | Birds | Insects | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Contact Us |