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Types of Water Moccasins

Water moccasins or cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) are a venomous species of pit viper native to the southeastern United States. They have a key role as top predators, eating and keeping the populations of small mammals, fish, turtles, frogs and other snakes under control. As the name suggests, water moccasins are semi-aquatic snakes, spending much of their time in swamps, ponds, lakes, rice paddies and marshes. Although they are poisonous, with a potentially fatal bite, water moccasins are not usually a threat to humans unless harassed or surprised. Their bites are serious and require immediate medical attention. Three distinct subspecies are native to the U.S., each with a slightly different appearance and range.

Eastern Cottonmouth
- The eastern cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus) is the largest subspecies and can grow to more than 70 inches long. They live in southeast Virginia, eastern North and South Carolina, and Geogia. Like the other water moccasins, eastern cottonmouths have a diet of virtually any animals small enough for them to overpower, including mammals, birds, amphibians and even small alligators.
Florida Cottonmouth
- Florida cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti) are the darkest of the subspecies. Their range extends across Florida, south Georgia and islands off Florida. They also are distinguished by clearly defined dark bands on their cheeks, which are less obvious in eastern cottonmouths and largely absent from western cottonmouths. Adult individuals often lack markings on their backs.
Western Cottonmouth
- Western cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma) are the smallest variety of water moccasin. Adults reach a maximum length of about 40 inches, although the average is less than 30. Western cottonmouths inhabit wetland areas in Alabama, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Texas and Indiana.

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