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.
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Often confused with
Recent Cottonmouth sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Cottonmouth?
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.
5,300+species
63national parks
50states