Water snakes have round pupils, no facial pit, and when viewed from above, have visible eyes. Water Moccasin or Cottonmouth. They live in the Amazon and Orinoco basins of tropical South America, and their habitat extends from the Andes, all the way east to Trinidad and part way up the Caribbean side of Central America. According to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, water moccasins live in the southeastern United States, from southern Virginia to Florida to eastern Texas. Scientific name: Agkistrodon piscivorus (LACÉPÈDE 1789) The following will separate the two Cottonmouths found in Florida. The United States has about 20 species of venomous snakes, which include 16 species of rattlesnakes, two species of coral snakes, one species of cottonmouth (or water moccasin), and one species of copperhead. Because of water resistance, the Water Moccasin cannot strike underwater in it's usual manner. Florida Snake Identification Key Cottonmouth, Florida Cottonmouth, Moccasin, Water Moccasin. It had a sinister venomous head the size of a man’s clenched fist. Rattlesnakes, Coral snakes and even Water Moccasin’s (aka Cottonmouth). The cottonmouth or water moccasin, as it is also sometimes called, gets its name from the whitish color of the inside of its mouth, which is displayed when the snake makes its characteristic open-mouth threat. -- A 5-and-a-half foot water moccasin was caught Wednesday afternoon in Florida. At least the rattlesnake will give you a quick shake of the rattles in his tail as a warning if you get too close, but the other two snakes won’t. The Florida water moccasin_,_ the western water moccasin and the eastern water moccasin grow to an adult size from 8 to 48 inches long, with a record length of 74 1/2 inches long. Juvenile cottonmouths are a brown or tan color with darker, reddish brown crossbands containing many speckles down the back. The Mossy Oak crew came across this venomous cottonmouth (water moccasin) while out planting a duck hole in the summer. Appearance. Florida man nearly killed when cottonmouth snake he kept as a pet in a pillow on his bed bites him on the mouth when he tried to kiss it. You may see them on logs or ledges next to the water, or draped over limbs and branches hanging low over the water. Some are easy to tell from a Water Moccasin, others almost look identical. If you are unable to distinguish between them based on the characteristics in the key below, you probably can do so using the geographic location alone. The Alongside Wildlife Foundation Outreach Award recognizes effective and innovative science communicators that go above and beyond to engage … Water Moccasin Bite Captured On Doorbell Camera - Miami, FL - WATCH: The moment a venomous water moccasin snake struck a Florida man was caught on a video doorbell camera. People often wonder is the Water Moccasin can bite underwater, and the answer to that question is yes! This is a sneaky snake as it turns color from brownish tan when they’re young to black when they’re adult. Giant water moccasin nabbed in Florida | 11alive.com 11Alive.com WXIA would like … Habitat Cottonmouths are found throughout Florida in wet areas, including streams, lakes, marshes, swamps, retention ponds, and roadside ditches, although they can wander far from water. The cottonmouth is a common and venomous Florida snake, also called a water moccasin. Five of Florida's deadliest creatures include the alligator, panther, and bull shark. ABC News brings us an up-close look at this giant water moccasin caught in Florida.. For all you folks who enjoy stepping through the swamp in the Sunshine State, this guy is your worst nightmare.