What is the largest cottonmouth snake on record?

The longest cottonmouth on record was an eastern cottonmouth that measured 74 inches. The snake was reportedly caught in a swamp near the Virginia-North Carolina border. Given to the Philadelphia Zoo, it soon died from injuries. Average weight of these snakes is 3 to 4 pounds.

How large can a cottonmouth get?

They are large – typically 24 – 48 in (61 – 122 cm), occassionally larger, keeled-scaled, heavy-bodied snakes. Their coloration is highly variable: they can be beautifully marked with dark crossbands on a brown and yellow ground color or completely brown or black.

How big do Florida cottonmouths get?

2-4 feet
The cottonmouth, or water moccasin, is a dark-colored, heavy-bodied snake that can grow to an average of 2-4 feet in length. Juvenile cottonmouths are a brown or tan color with darker, reddish brown crossbands containing many speckles down the back. Juveniles also have bright yellow tail tips.

Are Florida cottonmouth poisonous?

Officially known as a cottonmouth snake, the water moccasin is a venomous and aggressive water snake usually found in the swampy areas of lakes, canals, and rivers. Their venom is extremely toxic and can kill its recipient by causing a hemorrhage where the poison is injected.

Will a cottonmouth bite you underwater?

Besides sea-snakes, there are two common snakes that can live in or near water – the cottonmouth (water moccasin) and the water snake. Not only can snakes bite underwater, but water moccasins join a list of more than 20 species of venomous snakes in the United States making them even more of a threat.

Do Copperheads swim?

The snake is most active in summer, just as people are flocking to water to cool off. But copperheads, like northern water snakes, swim and can be found near water across the region. So, if a snake is not easily identifiable as a non-venomous water snake, it is best to beware.

Can you smell Water Moccasin?

The white color contrasts vividly with the body of the snake, which is dark in the adult. Besides gaping to warn a potential predator, cottonmouths whip their tails back and forth, raise their heads and coil up menacingly. They may spray a bad-smelling musk, much like a skunk.

Can a water moccasin bite you underwater?

What do you do if you get bit by a cottonmouth?

Your best bet is to call 911 and try to stay calm. Get away from the snake and, if you can, move your body so the bite is below your heart. Clean the wound and cover it with a clean bandage. Don’t put a tourniquet on the bite or try to cut it open and remove the venom.

What does a cottonmouth bite feel like?

Symptoms of a cottonmouth bite usually appear from minutes to hours after a bite and can include: Severe, immediate pain with rapid swelling. Discoloration of the skin. Difficult or rapid breathing.

Do copperheads like ponds?

Snakes run the gamut in natural habitats. While many of these reptiles reside in the water, the bulk of them live on terra firma. Copperhead snakes (Agkistrodon contortrix) are willing to go into the water, but they’re usually seen elsewhere. These snakes are toxic, so it’s wise to stay away from them.

Do Cottonmouths eat other snakes?

Cottonmouths eat other snakes, including their own kind. The only time more than one cottonmouth would be in the same place at the same time is: 1) mating season, 2) female giving birth, or 3) one cottonmouth is eating another.

How poisonous is a cottonmouth?

The bite of a Cottonmouth is extremely poisonous and destroys the red blood count in the human body. There are mostly two kinds of snake venom, the neurotoxic and hemotoxic. Both have different kinds of effects. When Cottonmouth strikes, it attacks the tissues along with the red blood cells.

What are the most common snakes in Florida?

The most common snakes in central Florida are the Black Racer, the Corn Snake, the Yellow Rat Snake , the Garter Snake, the Milk Snake , the Florida Ringneck Snake , and the Banded Water Snake.

What happens when a cottonmouth snake bites a dog?

The snake’s venom may cause extreme pain and visible hemorrhaging of the skin. Other symptoms of cottonmouth bites in dogs depend on the location of the bite and the amount of venom absorbed into the body, and can include behavior changes such as panting, drooling , and restlessness .