SUMMARY

Water Moccasin/Cottonmouth (Venomous) Is It a Water Adult water Do not occur naturally in most of northern Georgia. snakes They bask on land or on logs and stumps near the water and water surface, and swim with their heads elevated above the Moccasin? moccasins may water and their bodies riding on the water surface. They be very similar may vibrate their tails and gape their mouths when threatened. If banded, the bands are widest on the sides in general and narrow on top. They have a single row of scales on appearance. the underside of their tails, elliptical eye pupils, and a Adult red-bellied water snake Both are large, heat-sensing pit. heavy-bodied Eastern snakes with rough green scales and relatively However, this information is not provided to water snake point out which species to kill and which species dull coloration. not to kill. The water moccasin’s rumored However, the following characteristics of reputation as an aggressive snake far exceeds habitat, behavior and appearance should help Juvenile Adult- light phase its true character. Research has demonstrated differentiate between them. that this species rarely strikes defensively even when harassed, relying much more on bluffing RAnge and Habitat behaviors. Venom is a precious commodity that The first step in answering “Is it a water water moccasins use for subduing prey. Wasting moccasin?” should be to refer to the distribution venom on anything that is not food may prevent map that illustrates that species’ range. Adult – banded Adult- dark phase Some people ask this question when they a snake from catching its next meal. Further, the Collectively, water snakes can be found in every Water Snakes (Non-venomous) see a snake in the water. Unfortunately, many gaped display of the “cottony” inner-mouth of county of Georgia, unlike the water moccasin, Occur in aquatic habitats throughout Georgia. They people assume all snakes in the water are water a water moccasin is not an act of aggression, which does not occur in most of the northern bask in limbs overhanging water and typically swim moccasins and kill them “just in case.” Yes, but rather a warning of its toxicity—no different half of the state. Although it is difficult to below the water surface. If banded, the bands are some species of snakes, including the water than the rattling behavior of rattlesnakes or summarize the habitat preferences of these two widest on top and narrow on the sides. They have moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus), also known as the bright warning colors of the coral snake. snakes, in general water moccasins shy away round eye pupils, and a double row of scales on the Venomous snakes pose very little threat to from large, open reservoirs, whereas some water underside of their tails. the cottonmouth, are venomous and therefore potentially dangerous. However, of the 45 snake humans who leave them alone. The vast majority snake species thrive in them. Water moccasins species native to Georgia, only six are venomous of snakebites result from people attempting to tend to inhabit slow-moving streams, swamps —all others are harmless. Among the 39 capture, harass or kill them. and backwaters. harmless non-venomous snakes, five species of water snakes (Nerodia spp.) are often Water Moccasins unfortunate victims of mistaken identity: People Red-bellied Juvenile Red-bellied (Cottonmouths) think they are water moccasins. This brochure vs. Water snakes was developed to highlight the differences Range (in green) of the water ATLANTA between water snakes and water moccasins moccasin (cottonmouth) Five species of large water snakes are native in Georgia. Major reservoirs with the hope that familiarity with these snakes to Georgia —eastern green water snake outside of the water will prevent further unnecessary killing of non- (Nerodia floridana), brown water snake moccasin’s range include Eastern Green Brown venomous snakes (which is illegal by state law) Lake Allatoona and (Nerodia taxispilota), red-bellied water snake Lake Lanier. commonly found in aquatic habitats in Georgia. (Nerodia erythrogaster), banded water snake (Nerodia fasciata) and northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon). Non-venomous water snakes, such as the brown water snake above, may be mistaken for venomous water moccasins Banded Northern the presence of a pit between the eye and Basking Behavior nostril (absent in water snakes) are reliable characteristics of water moccasins. Stories of water moccasins falling from overhanging limbs into boats are most likely based on misidentification. nostril Water moccasins typically bask on land, stumps or logs Head alignment (angled) typical Mouth-gape warning behavior Water snakes, like this northern Well-defined dark stripe between of water moccasins typical of water moccasins water snake, have bands that are eye and corner of jaw on water near the water surface, and widest on the top moccasin nostril Water moccasins rarely climb, only occasionally climb to low moccasins cannot be positively identified based solely whereas water snakes, like this limbs when access is afforded on the color of their inner-mouth lining. pit brown water snake, typically Underside of Tail bask on limbs that hang over by vines or gradually sloping (Caution: Venom may remain fully toxic in dead snakes. It is the water Water moccasins have a single row of scales (similar A heat-sensing pit present in water moccasins (left) is absent in water branches. Water snakes, best to leave dead snakes of uncertain identification alone.) snakes like the banded water snake (right). Water moccasins also have however, are very agile climbers and spend a great to the belly scales) on the underside of their tail. Water elliptical pupils, while non-venomous water snakes have round pupils. deal of time basking on the limbs of shrubs and trees Tail Vibration snakes have a double row of scales. (Caution: If uncertain overhanging the water. as to the species, scale characteristics should only be examined In addition to mouth-gaping, water moccasins will often on dead snakes and shed skins.) Swimming Behavior rapidly vibrate their tail when agitated or threatened. Although several other non-venomous snakes also exhibit this behavior (black racers, for example), water snakes do not. Pattern For additional information on snakes please contact: Water moccasin swimming Georgia Department of When disturbed, water moccasins either hold their ground or swim away. When swimming, their head Natural Resources is usually elevated above the water and their body Head Shape and Features WILDLIFE RESOURCES DIVISION appears overly buoyant, riding on, or nearly on, the NONGAME CONSERVATION SECTION water surface. Water snakes, on the other hand, do not The shape of the head is not a reliable way to swim high on the water and their head is not elevated. differentiate these species since water snakes can 116 RUM CREEK DRIVE When water snakes are disturbed, they almost always flare out their head when they feel threatened, making FORSYTH, GEORGIA 31029 flee by diving beneath the water. The two most common water snakes in Georgia, it look triangular. However, the elliptical shape of banded and northern, have bands that are widest on the pupil (the pupil of water snakes is round) and 478.994.1438 | FAX 478.993.3050 Head Positioning and top. Juvenile and patterned adult water moccasins have WWW.GEORGIAWILDLIFE.COM Mouth-gaping Behavior “hollow” bands that are widest on the sides and appear to be hourglass-shaped when viewed from above. Also, Funding provided by The Environmental Resources Network Water moccasins typically keep their head cocked most water moccasins have a very well-defined dark (TERN). Photographs provided by Jim Flynn, Pierson Hill, at an approximately 45-degree angle, and when stripe on the side of the head that runs from the back John Jensen, and Dirk Stevenson. threatened will gape their mouth, revealing the whitish of the eye toward the corner of the jaw. The only water inner lining. Although water snakes do not display snake species with any semblance of a dark stripe on either of these behaviors they, too, may have whitish the side of the head is the banded water snake, and the coloration in the mouth lining. Therefore, dead water stripe is a poorly-defined one, at best. A banded water snake in a defensive posture, with head flared