Species Reptiles & AmphibiansCottonmouth

Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon piscivorus

CommonReptile & Amphibian
Illustration of Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
Safety note: Venomous — keep distance

The Cottonmouth or Water Moccasin is the world's only semiaquatic pit viper. Its name comes from the white interior of its mouth, displayed as a warning. It can bite underwater and is more aggressive than most snakes.

Habitat
Swamps, marshes, lake edges, and slow-moving streams in the Southeast
Diet
Fish, frogs, small mammals, birds, and other snakes
How common
Common

Best time to see a Cottonmouth

The best time to see a Cottonmouth is February–July, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 31,664 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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Often confused with

Common Watersnake - see how to tell them apart

Recent Cottonmouth sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

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