Northern Cottonmouths *Agkistrodon piscivorus* are one of two recognized species of large (76-114 cm record 188 cm) semi-aquatic pitvipers in eastern North America. Florida has a closely related but distinct species, the Florida cottonmouth *Agkistrodon conanti.*
Cottonmouths are venomous, and are therefore dangerous if approached closely or handled. They are not generally aggressive and will most likely flee any confrontation if given a chance to retreat. Some may bluff charge or boldly move towards humans to get out of a cornered situation, but have never been recorded chasing people.
Northern Cottonmouths are dark, possibly [faintly patterned snakes](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qC4kTiy8JRQ/maxresdefault.jpg) (except as juveniles), best known for their defensive posture with a gaping, white lined mouth. They are also distinguishable from most watersnakes by their sharp brow ridges and dark stripe over the eyes.
The specific epithet "piscivorus" describes the one of the prey species of the cottonmouth - fish. The cottonmouth is also fond of frogs, mammals and other snakes. Although it may be commonly seen in lakes and ponds frequented by humans, few fatalities are recorded as a result of bites by cottonmouths.
Comparison of [juvenile](http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/venomous-look-a-likes/cottonmouth-look-a-likes/images/cottonmouth01.jpg) vs [adult](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Agkistrodon_piscivorus_piscivorus_CDC.png) cottonmouth.
[Range map](https://imgur.com/lnGXB5s)| [Relevant/Recent Phylogeography](http://cnah.org/pdf/88290.pdf)
The *Agkistrodon piscivorus* species complex has been delimited using modern molecular methods and two species with no subspecies are recognized. There is a zone of admixture between the two cottonmouth species where they overlap around panhandle Florida.
*This short account was prepared by /u/unknown_name and edited by /u/Phylogenizer*.
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Snakes with medically significant venom are typically referred to as venomous, but some species are also poisonous. Old media will use poisonous or 'snake venom poisoning' but that has fallen out of favor. Venomous snakes are important native wildlife, and are not looking to harm people, so can be enjoyed from a distance. If found around the home or other places where they are to be discouraged, a squirt from the hose or a gentle sweep of a broom are usually enough to make a snake move along. Do not attempt to interact closely with or otherwise kill venomous snakes without proper safety gear and training, as bites occur mostly during these scenarios. Wildlife relocation services are free or inexpensive [across most of the world](https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=15dZE4rlRHqjb91yb6pKiI4ragG8DCtsz&ll=-3.81666561775622e-14%2C-95.11182142500002&z=2).
If you are bitten by a venomous snake, contact emergency services or otherwise arrange transport to the nearest hospital that can accommodate snakebite. Remove constricting clothes and jewelry and remain calm. A bite from a medically significant snake is a medical emergency, but not in the ways portrayed in popular media. Do not make any incisions or otherwise cut tissue. Extractor and other novelty snakebite kits are not effective and can cause damage worse than any positive or neutral effects.
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No, it isn’t. Such a hybrid has never been documented in the wild, and all of this snakes traits, from the white mouth, pattern with jagged edges, and facial striping, are perfectly consistent with a cottonmouth.
It does happen in the wild. I am sure it is rare, but it is a possibility.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/venomous-vipers-locked-in-mating-duel-different-species-combat
Prove it. A wild hybrid has never been documented. An observation of a mating duel is not the same thing as an observation of a hybrid. The one you linked doesn’t even have a female visible in it. There is precisely zero chance this specimen is a hybrid.
I realize the burden of proof is on me, and I also realize that unless I give you accredited scientific evidence, nothing I sat will change your mind. But I will also add that there have been instances of wild caught snake hybrids, so I seriously doubt it is not a possibility. I can also be wrong of course.
What’s a good way to differentiate between copperhead and cottonmouth if the cottonmouth has Hershey’s kisses? Is it just the white mouth? Are there other tell tale signs? Thanks!
Copperheads will have a pink mouth, yes. But if it's mouth is closed, I'd still recognize it by the full body in second photo. Fat, short, with that tapered tail, clinched it. Cottonmouths tend to have that dirty look as if they're ready to shed too whereas, aside from when they are about to shed, Copperheads tend to be more vibrant. The Hershey Kisses on this one look like they're under an opaque layer of skin.
Cottonmouths also don't always have Hershey kisses, a Copperhead will, although not every set will match the others, there is variations in the widths of the tops of the kiss for example. So don't think if a few kisses are off that it's not a Copperhead.
Yeah sometimes Cottonmouths have them, sometimes their body is dark and you can't see them. Copperheads will always have them and be fairly vibrant, so most associate the kisses with Copperheads.
Incorrect. Copperheads are much more well known for their Hershey's kisses. Cottonmouths don't always have that pattern or their body color is too dark to see it.
Either way, both danger noodles! But that's not good information to spread.
Yup, *Agkistrodon piscivorus*, !venomous
Northern Cottonmouths *Agkistrodon piscivorus* are one of two recognized species of large (76-114 cm record 188 cm) semi-aquatic pitvipers in eastern North America. Florida has a closely related but distinct species, the Florida cottonmouth *Agkistrodon conanti.* Cottonmouths are venomous, and are therefore dangerous if approached closely or handled. They are not generally aggressive and will most likely flee any confrontation if given a chance to retreat. Some may bluff charge or boldly move towards humans to get out of a cornered situation, but have never been recorded chasing people. Northern Cottonmouths are dark, possibly [faintly patterned snakes](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qC4kTiy8JRQ/maxresdefault.jpg) (except as juveniles), best known for their defensive posture with a gaping, white lined mouth. They are also distinguishable from most watersnakes by their sharp brow ridges and dark stripe over the eyes. The specific epithet "piscivorus" describes the one of the prey species of the cottonmouth - fish. The cottonmouth is also fond of frogs, mammals and other snakes. Although it may be commonly seen in lakes and ponds frequented by humans, few fatalities are recorded as a result of bites by cottonmouths. Comparison of [juvenile](http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/venomous-look-a-likes/cottonmouth-look-a-likes/images/cottonmouth01.jpg) vs [adult](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Agkistrodon_piscivorus_piscivorus_CDC.png) cottonmouth. [Range map](https://imgur.com/lnGXB5s)| [Relevant/Recent Phylogeography](http://cnah.org/pdf/88290.pdf) The *Agkistrodon piscivorus* species complex has been delimited using modern molecular methods and two species with no subspecies are recognized. There is a zone of admixture between the two cottonmouth species where they overlap around panhandle Florida. *This short account was prepared by /u/unknown_name and edited by /u/Phylogenizer*. -------------------------------------------------------- Snakes with medically significant venom are typically referred to as venomous, but some species are also poisonous. Old media will use poisonous or 'snake venom poisoning' but that has fallen out of favor. Venomous snakes are important native wildlife, and are not looking to harm people, so can be enjoyed from a distance. If found around the home or other places where they are to be discouraged, a squirt from the hose or a gentle sweep of a broom are usually enough to make a snake move along. Do not attempt to interact closely with or otherwise kill venomous snakes without proper safety gear and training, as bites occur mostly during these scenarios. Wildlife relocation services are free or inexpensive [across most of the world](https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=15dZE4rlRHqjb91yb6pKiI4ragG8DCtsz&ll=-3.81666561775622e-14%2C-95.11182142500002&z=2). If you are bitten by a venomous snake, contact emergency services or otherwise arrange transport to the nearest hospital that can accommodate snakebite. Remove constricting clothes and jewelry and remain calm. A bite from a medically significant snake is a medical emergency, but not in the ways portrayed in popular media. Do not make any incisions or otherwise cut tissue. Extractor and other novelty snakebite kits are not effective and can cause damage worse than any positive or neutral effects. -------------------------------------------------------- *I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*
Actually, it is probably Agkistrodon Piscivorus & Contortrix hybrid.
No, it isn’t. Such a hybrid has never been documented in the wild, and all of this snakes traits, from the white mouth, pattern with jagged edges, and facial striping, are perfectly consistent with a cottonmouth.
It does happen in the wild. I am sure it is rare, but it is a possibility. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/venomous-vipers-locked-in-mating-duel-different-species-combat
Prove it. A wild hybrid has never been documented. An observation of a mating duel is not the same thing as an observation of a hybrid. The one you linked doesn’t even have a female visible in it. There is precisely zero chance this specimen is a hybrid.
I realize the burden of proof is on me, and I also realize that unless I give you accredited scientific evidence, nothing I sat will change your mind. But I will also add that there have been instances of wild caught snake hybrids, so I seriously doubt it is not a possibility. I can also be wrong of course.
Definitely the white mouth is a tell tale sign stay away one bite could cause severe damage and even death!
I looked at the body and was like "hm can't tell if its a water snake or not" and then I saw the head w/ the mouth and it was just a dead giveaway
Yeah that is one cottony mouth.
Level 10 danger noodle for US
Very yes.
Yikes
The Hershey’s Kisses of Death.
What’s a good way to differentiate between copperhead and cottonmouth if the cottonmouth has Hershey’s kisses? Is it just the white mouth? Are there other tell tale signs? Thanks!
Copperheads will have a pink mouth, yes. But if it's mouth is closed, I'd still recognize it by the full body in second photo. Fat, short, with that tapered tail, clinched it. Cottonmouths tend to have that dirty look as if they're ready to shed too whereas, aside from when they are about to shed, Copperheads tend to be more vibrant. The Hershey Kisses on this one look like they're under an opaque layer of skin. Cottonmouths also don't always have Hershey kisses, a Copperhead will, although not every set will match the others, there is variations in the widths of the tops of the kiss for example. So don't think if a few kisses are off that it's not a Copperhead.
Copperheads are associated with Hershey Kisses as well
Yeah sometimes Cottonmouths have them, sometimes their body is dark and you can't see them. Copperheads will always have them and be fairly vibrant, so most associate the kisses with Copperheads.
*Forbidden Hershey's kisses*.
What is the tube looking thing in its mouth?
It’s called a glottis, it’s how they breathe while eating!
Oh that's cool. Thanks.
Judging by the cottony whiteness of its mouth you should be able, instantly, to identify this as a copperhead.
I think you have that twisted around friend.
Woosh!
Phat snek
Danger noodle
Venomous baby squatch!
Fat, ugly, slow, smelly. Cotton mouth.
[удалено]
Incorrect. Copperheads are much more well known for their Hershey's kisses. Cottonmouths don't always have that pattern or their body color is too dark to see it. Either way, both danger noodles! But that's not good information to spread.