The water moccasin, North America's only venomous water snake, has a distinctive blocky, triangular head; a thick body; and a dangerous bite. Common names include variants on water moccasin, swamp moccasin, black moccasin, cottonmouth, gapper, or simply viper.Water Moccasins reach 30 to 48 inches, occasionally up to 74 inches. The back is dark olive or black, the belly is paler. The snout is always pale, and there is usually a dark vertical line by each nostril.Water Moccasins are primarily active at night, but they bask in the sun during the day. Because they spend much of their time in water, and water draws away heat more quickly than air, they must somehow maintain a high body temperature, particularly for their digestive metabolism. Water moccasins are semi-aquatic and can be found near water and fields. They inhabit brackish waters and are commonly found in swamps, streams, marshes, and drainage ditches in the southern lowlands of the United States. They also live at the edges of lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams and waters.
Its diet …show more content…
It possesses a pair of heat-sensing pits between their eyes and nostrils. They are able to detect temperature differences of as little as 1° C. Cottonmouths eat both warm and cold-blooded prey, including other water snakes. Prey such as frogs, fish, and other snakes are held in the jaws for a few moments after capture to allow them to succumb to the venom. Mammals (which are likely to bite back) are struck and then instantly released. If the victim flees before the venom takes effect, the cottonmouth tracks it by scent. Newborn cottonmouths have a unique predatory technique. They flick their brightly colored tail tips, which look like worms, as bait, enticing small frogs or minnows within striking range. The venom of the cottonmouth is produced by glands that are located near the point where the upper and lower jaws join. Total venom replacement actually requires no more than three
Its diet …show more content…
It possesses a pair of heat-sensing pits between their eyes and nostrils. They are able to detect temperature differences of as little as 1° C. Cottonmouths eat both warm and cold-blooded prey, including other water snakes. Prey such as frogs, fish, and other snakes are held in the jaws for a few moments after capture to allow them to succumb to the venom. Mammals (which are likely to bite back) are struck and then instantly released. If the victim flees before the venom takes effect, the cottonmouth tracks it by scent. Newborn cottonmouths have a unique predatory technique. They flick their brightly colored tail tips, which look like worms, as bait, enticing small frogs or minnows within striking range. The venom of the cottonmouth is produced by glands that are located near the point where the upper and lower jaws join. Total venom replacement actually requires no more than three