Northern Cottonmouth Agkistrodon Piscivorus

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northern cottonmouth Agkistrodon piscivorus Kingdom: Animalia Division/Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Crotalidae ILLINOIS STATUS common, native FEATURES The cottonmouth averages 30 to 42 inches in length. It has a heat-sensitive pit on each side of the head between the eye and the nostril. The head is ﬂattened and much wider than the neck. The pupil of each eye is vertically elliptical. The scales are weakly keeled (ridged). This snake may be plain black or brown above with little evidence of a pattern. Some have dim crossbands across the back. BEHAVIORS The cottonmouth may be found in the southern tip of Illinois. This snake lives in sloughs and swamps. The cottonmouth is semiaquatic and is mainly active at night. When disturbed, it will either stay where it is and vibrate its tail or slowly crawl away. It may move its head up and back with the mouth open showing the white interior, hence its name of “cottonmouth.” This snake hibernates in dens in rock crevices with other species of snakes. Mating occurs mainly in the spring but may occur at any time the snake is active. The female gives birth to a brood of from one to 15 young in August or September. The tip of the young cottonmouth’s tail is yellow. The cottonmouth injects prey with venom then waits for it to succumb before eating it. This snake eats ﬁshes, mice, small birds, lizards, snakes, amphibians and insects. HABITATS Aquatic Habitats bottomland forests Woodland Habitats bottomland forests; southern Illinois lowlands Prairie and Edge Habitats none © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2020. Biodiversity of Illinois. .

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COTTONMOUTH Agkistrodon Piscivorus
COTTONMOUTH Agkistrodon piscivorus Agkistrodon is derived from ankistron and odon which in Greek mean “fishhook” and “tooth or teeth;” referring to the curved fangs of this species. Piscivorus is derived from piscis and voro which in Latin mean “fish” and “to eat”. Another common name for cottonmouth is water moccasin. The Cottonmouth is venomous. While its bite is rarely fatal, tissue damage is likely to occur and can be severe if not treated promptly. IDENTIFICATION Appearance: The cottonmouth is a stout- bodied venomous snake that reaches lengths of 30 to 42 inches as adults. Most adults are uniformly dark brown, olive, or black, tending to lose the cross banded patterning with age. Some individuals may have a dark cheek stripe (upper right image). The cottonmouth has the diagnostic features of the pit-viper family such as a wedge-shaped head, sensory pits between the eyes and nostrils, and vertical “cat-like” pupils. Juveniles are lighter and more boldly patterned with a yellow coloration toward the tip of the tail (lower right image). Dorsal scales are weakly keeled, and the subcaudal scales form only one row. Cottonmouths also have a single anal Mike Redmer plate. Subspecies: There are three subspecies of the cottonmouth. The Western Cottonmouth (A. p. leucostoma) is the only subspecies found in the Midwest. The term leucostoma refers to the white interior of mouth. Confusing Species: The non-venomous watersnakes (Nerodia) are commonly confused with Cottonmouths across their range, simply because they are snakes in water. Thus it is important to note that Cottonmouths are only found in southernmost Midwest.
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Cottonmouth Snake Bites Reported to the Toxic North American Snakebite Registry 2013–2017
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Agkistrodon Piscivorus)
BearWorks MSU Graduate Theses Fall 2019 Behavioral Aspects Of Chemoreception In Juvenile Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon Piscivorus) Chelsea E. Martin Missouri State University, [email protected] As with any intellectual project, the content and views expressed in this thesis may be considered objectionable by some readers. However, this student-scholar’s work has been judged to have academic value by the student’s thesis committee members trained in the discipline. The content and views expressed in this thesis are those of the student-scholar and are not endorsed by Missouri State University, its Graduate College, or its employees. Follow this and additional works at: https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses Part of the Behavior and Ethology Commons Recommended Citation Martin, Chelsea E., "Behavioral Aspects Of Chemoreception In Juvenile Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon Piscivorus)" (2019). MSU Graduate Theses. 3466. https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/3466 This article or document was made available through BearWorks, the institutional repository of Missouri State University. The work contained in it may be protected by copyright and require permission of the copyright holder for reuse or redistribution. For more information, please contact [email protected]. BEHAVIORAL ASPECTS OF CHEMORECEPTION IN JUVENILE COTTONMOUTHS (AGKISTRODON PISCIVORUS) A Master’s Thesis Presented to The Graduate College of Missouri State University TEMPLATE In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science, Biology By Chelsea E. Martin December 2019 Copyright 2019 by Chelsea Elizabeth Martin ii BEHAVIORAL ASPECTS OF CHEMORECPTION IN JUVENILE COTTONMOUTHS (AGKISTRODON PISCIVORUS) Biology Missouri State University, December 2019 Master of Science Chelsea E. Martin ABSTRACT For snakes, chemical recognition of predators, prey, and conspecifics has important ecological consequences.
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Dorsal and Ventral Color Patterns in a South Georgia Population of Agkistrodon Piscivorus Contanti, the Florida Cottonmouth David L
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Post-Drought Responses of Semi-Aquatic Snakes Inhabiting an Isolated Wetland: Insights on Different Strategies for Persistence in a Dynamic Habitat
WETLANDS, Vol. 26, No. 4, December 2006, pp. 1071–1078 ’ 2006, The Society of Wetland Scientists POST-DROUGHT RESPONSES OF SEMI-AQUATIC SNAKES INHABITING AN ISOLATED WETLAND: INSIGHTS ON DIFFERENT STRATEGIES FOR PERSISTENCE IN A DYNAMIC HABITAT John D. Willson1, Christopher T. Winne1, Michael E. Dorcas2, and J. Whitfield Gibbons1 1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory PO Drawer E Aiken, South Carolina, USA 29802 E-mail: [email protected] 2Department of Biology, Davidson College Davidson, North Carolina, USA 28035 Abstract: Most aquatic habitats are temporally dynamic, and selection has favored diverse strategies to persist in the face of fluctuating environmental conditions. Isolated wetlands in the southeastern United States harbor high diversities of aquatic and semi-aquatic organisms. However, drought may render these wetlands temporarily unsuitable for many species, sometimes for years at a time. We studied the movement patterns and demography of seven species of semi-aquatic snakes at Ellenton Bay, an isolated 10-ha freshwater wetland in the Upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina, following complete drying of the bay during a drought from 2000 to 2003. Behavioral and population responses varied markedly among species. Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) migrated to and from the wetland annually, fared well, and reproduced during the drought. Banded watersnakes (Nerodia fasciata) suffered a dramatic population decline and apparently did not reproduce, while eastern green watersnakes (N. floridana)were locally extirpated. Black swamp snakes (Seminatrix pygaea) aestivated within the wetland and were less affected by the drought than Nerodia. Interspecific differences in response to drought demonstrate that conservation measures may affect species differently and highlight the importance of terrestrial habitat around wetlands for semi-aquatic reptiles.
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Agkistrodon Piscivorus) Across Different Prey Sizes, Prey Taxa, and Snake Body Temperatures
BearWorks MSU Graduate Theses Spring 2016 Venom Expelled by Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon Piscivorus) Across Different Prey Sizes, Prey Taxa, and Snake Body Temperatures Kari Lynn Spivey As with any intellectual project, the content and views expressed in this thesis may be considered objectionable by some readers. However, this student-scholar’s work has been judged to have academic value by the student’s thesis committee members trained in the discipline. The content and views expressed in this thesis are those of the student-scholar and are not endorsed by Missouri State University, its Graduate College, or its employees. Follow this and additional works at: https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses Part of the Biology Commons Recommended Citation Spivey, Kari Lynn, "Venom Expelled by Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon Piscivorus) Across Different Prey Sizes, Prey Taxa, and Snake Body Temperatures" (2016). MSU Graduate Theses. 5. https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/5 This article or document was made available through BearWorks, the institutional repository of Missouri State University. The work contained in it may be protected by copyright and require permission of the copyright holder for reuse or redistribution. For more information, please contact [email protected]. VENOM EXPELLED BY COTTONMOUTHS (AGKISTRODON PISCIVORUS) ACROSS DIFFERENT PREY SIZES, PREY TAXA, AND SNAKE BODY TEMPERATURES A Masters Thesis Presented to The Graduate College of Missouri State University In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science, Biology By Kari Spivey May 2016 VENOM EXPELLED BY COTTONMOUTHS (AGKISTRODON PISCIVORUS) ACROSS DIFFERENT PREYSIZES, PREY TAXA, AND SNAKE BODY TEMPERATURES Biology Missouri State University, May, 2016 Master of Science Kari Spivey ABSTRACT Pit vipers possess a sophisticated venom delivery system enabling them to efficiently disable prey.
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Native Snakes of Rhode Island
Native Snakes of Rhode Island Although many cultures around the world respect snakes and revere them as symbols of renewal and fertility, in our society the relationship between humans and snakes primarily involves apprehension. Unfortunately, the fear that many people have for these legless members of the reptile family is based largely on learned behavior and misinformation. Therefore, this pamphlet was created to educate people about the species of snakes they might see here in Rhode Island, and to suggest how to handle unexpected encounters. Although some species appear menacing and may bite when threatened, snakes are generally much more afraid of you then you are of them, and no native Rhode Island snake poses any threat to life, limb, or property. Native snakes are a natural and important part of healthy ecosystems and are fascinating creatures worth understanding more fully. It is important to note that NO SPECIES OF NATIVE RHODE ISLAND SNAKE IS VENOMOUS. Timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) were once found in Rhode Island, but disappeared nearly fifty years ago. There are still rattlesnake populations in Connecticut and Massachusetts but none of these occurs near Rhode Island’s borders. Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) are also found in southern New England, but have never been documented in Rhode Island. Lastly, although there are many stories about water moccasins in Rhode Island, these tales obviously refer to common water snakes because the real water moccasin, or cottonmouth as it is sometimes known (Agkistrodon piscivorus), is a southern species found no further north than the state of Virginia. Allegheny ratsnake (Pantherophis alleganiensis) Description: Formerly referred to as black rat snake, this species is black in color, with light areas often visible between the scales.
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