Cottonmouth

Small Cottonmouth sunning itself.

Walked up on it today while going to put some corn in a feeder.

Some folks say they are ill tempered....but I don't agree. It takes a LOT to get one to strike (usually). They would rather just 'get away'.

Plain old 'Water Snakes' on the other-hand (Particularly diamondback water snakes) are pissy.

Saw a video few years back of a guy with snake boots on in Florida. There were several cottonmouths and he was trying to get them to strike. They would open their mouths… and hold their heads at a 45 degree angle like they do, but wouldn’t strike. If you stepped right on one I’m sure it would pop you.

Agree with the watersnake as well. Them things seem more “triggered”

I was noodling catfish some years ago and a cottonmouth did everything it possibly could to kill me. I was not antagonizing it in any way. It slid off the bank and swam as fast as it could towards me with a heart full of murder.

All but one….a very young one I scared, were extremely passive. Water snakes are almost always ill tempered but cottonmouths are very non-aggressive.

Jes been my personal experience….

Had a very similar experience at my dads creek, thankfully I was carrying his judge

I was lucky I managed to get to a gravel bar. Once he got on dry ground he was in my world and it didn’t work out well for him at all.

Yes sir same here.
Any cottonmouth I've come across have always fled. But we've had water snakes chase our boat around the lease pond

^^^^^^

Yes, 'Classic' first defense posture for the Cottonmouth. Whether they curl up or remain extended....they will almost always do the mouth 'gapping' display.

Some will even feign a strike....but 'most' have to be really prodded before they defend themselves with a dedicated bite. Or at least that has been my experience with them.

Here is a different Moccasin on a different day (same area) doing the 'mouth gapping'.



Copperheads and many water-snakes are MUCH more apt to bite right away.

Y’all must have some snowflake cottonmouths. The ones around here would steal a car and shoot at folks if they knew how to do it.

I’ve only seen one that was really hostile. Been awhile since I’ve seen a snake of any kind. At one time, I was loaded with all kinds; mostly rattlers. Had a coffee can full of rattles. But, there was no shortage of moccasins in creek and ponds. Had to watch for them on a full time basis. Then the pigs moved in. Now I see a snake about every 5 years. Only seen one copperhead in my life.

A couple of years ago I saw a buzz tail on a dirt road. I stopped; got out and looked at it. Wife thought I was nuts.

As with any species there are individuals that don't fit the 'norm'.

But I submit that Water Moccasin/Cottonmouth snakes suffer a largely undeserved reputation for aggression.

Copperheads are another matter.

When we consider the limited range where the Copperhead exists and the fact that they are responsible for more 'venomous snake' bites than any other snake (indigenous to the U.S) we can conclude two things:

1. They exist in closer proximity to humans than other venomous snakes (where they exist).
2. They are 'quick' to bite.

I'm not a herpetologist......but in my 50+ years of observing and handling snakes I have concluded that 'most' Copperheads and many Water Snakes have a very 'pissy' attitude.

Of the four venomous snakes in the U.S. (indigenous) I would rank them in the following order...with respect to willingness to bite.

1. Copperhead and Rattlesnakes about equal.
2. Cottonmouth/Water Moccasin.
3. Coral Snake.

Of the non-venomous snakes (in my experience).

1. Pretty much all Water Snakes but the Diamondback Water Snake in-particular.
2. All 'Racers' will readily bite (if handled).

Of course, 'regionally' the snake species will vary one place to another.

Who could forget

'Kid at my high school went that way. Water skiing in the spring, let go of the rope and cruised into shore at Canyon Lake. 'Hit a ball of 'em.

Oh, heyul na!!!

Cottonmouths are Satin's Slinky and I will send every one of them I see to meet their maker.

of the 39 I have killed here (yes, I keep count ) only 2 have even had the chance to open their mouth.

stepped on 3, 2 right by the head and the other about 4" behind it. didn't see them, had the snake boots on and no possibility to strike, I really hate shooting the glock 23 that close to my feet.

5 of them were around the lodge/pond out back.

we have copperheads but I have only seen one baby in 10 yrs. here, few yrs. back a member shot a 3' coming back from his tree stand.

and I agree on the water snakes, I have plenty of them up to 5' or so and they get aggressive quick and are not skeeered to swim right up to ya.

Just saw a coral snake while cutting the lawn today in Inez. Jumped off the zero turn to get a picture but he made a bee line for the woods and made it before I could stop him. After years of seeing no corals, I have seen three since last spring all in different parts of the property.
I used to have tons of copperheads. I once caught 13 copperheads in a three week period about 20 years ago before I took them below a highway underpass and released them. I think I was up to 105 in the first 4 years we lived in Inez. Don't see them nearly as often but I don't really go looking for them like I used to. Once put my hand in the flower bed to pick up a broken brick and there was a copperhead coiled inches from my hand. Slowly pulled my hand back with no bite. To me, copperheads don't seem that aggressive, but personality varies. Many times at night if there was one on the porch or near it, you could almost guarantee there was another nearby. I guess male and female.

snakes at my lease or out in the wild I give a pass to - (other than the 6 footer rattlesnake I shot years ago) - on the other hand anywhere near my house and pond?? He gone!!!!

The kid that delivers my hay got bit in the hand by a cotton mouth a couple weeks back. It had claimed his stringer of crappie and the boy didn't see it when he reached down to pick them up. Had to be CareFlighted to Children's Hospital in Dallas and took a ton of anti-venom to get it under control.

Ouch!!!