how do you identify a water moccosin?

Question

water moccosins indiana snakes

Answer 1

"Water Moccasin"- Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma ( western ). They are indiginous to Indiana, but to extreme southern In. and they are a state endangered species. So you are not likely to see one.

More than likely you will see a species of water snake.

The Moccasin will have the characteristic "cat eye" pupils, a triangular head, heat pits between the eyes and nostrils, and if you are going to pick one up to ID it...a single row of post ventral scales. Coloration in snakes is highly variable and not something to rely upon for species identification. However, to illustrate, the Moccasin can be from green to black, and be either solid or banded. If it displays defensive posturing, it will hold it's mouth agape and show the "cotton mouth" coloration. Other water snakes have such coloration too, so it is the display behavior, rather than the color inside the mouth, that is the aid to identification.

http://herpcenter.ipfw.edu/outreach/accounts/reptiles/snakes/W_Cottonmouth/distribution.gif
http://herpcenter.ipfw.edu/index.htm?http://herpcenter.ipfw.edu/outreach/INSnakeList.htm&2
http://www.parcplace.org/cmflier.pdf

Answer 2

I am trying to kind a link to a picture of a water moccasin in Indiana and the only thing I can find is a link that is for canoeing in Indiana that states that there are no water moccasins in Indiana. That is not to say there aren't any, maybe they are just not native to that area naturally. I live here in Texas and I will send you a link to the ones here in Texas and maybe that will help you identify one.

http://www.jungledomain.org/native.htm

http://www.oplin.org/snake/fact%20pages/moccasin_water/moccasin_water.html

Both of these links have photos of the water moccasin. The first one has a better body shot and the second one has a good shot of the inside of the mouth, known as a cotton mouth. They are a relative of the copper head.

http://www.texassnakes.net/myths.html
Here is another sight that will clear up common myths about snakes. Including whether or not a snake is venomous by the shape of it's head.

Answer 3

Whatever you do, DO NOT GET CLOSE TO IT!!! They are very venomous. But the reason they are called Water "Moccosin" is because their skin looks like leather, almost "Moccosin" like. Another way to tell is, ( I don't suggest using this) the inside of their mouth looks like cotton, hense their nick name "Cotton mouth".

Be very careful. While they are beautiful and majestic creatures, they can also be deadly if you pose a threat by playing with them. Enjoy them from a distance.

Hope I helped,

James

Answer 4

A. piscivorus varies greatly in size, with A. p. conanti being the largest. They average between 20 and 48 inches (51 to 121 cm) in length, with the largest recorded length at 74.5 inches (189 cm).[1] They are typically dark in color, either black, dark brown, or a dark olive green, with a muddy appearance. Sometimes muted banding is present. Juveniles have a more striking appearance, with distinctive light and dark banding and a bright yellow-green tail tip. As they age, the banding and color on the tail tip fade.

Answer 5

Try this link: http://herpcenter.ipfw.edu/index.htm?http://herpcenter.ipfw.edu/outreach/INSnakeList.htm&2

Cottonmouths only live in the extreme southern tip of Indiana- they cannot overwinter any place it freezes hard.

Similar snakes, like the Northern Water Snake are commonly mistaken for Moccasins, but are not venomous.

Answer 6

Unless it escaped from a zoo or a private collection, don't worry about it. There are no water moccasins native to your area(Indiana). They don't range any farther north than the Great Dismal Swamps of Virginia.

Answer 7

water moccasins are nicknamed "cottonmouths" characterized by the white, inner lining in their mouths. They vary in color from dark olive to brown to black. Avg. length is 4-5 feet. They love to sun on rock ledges. are very abundant in months of late July through August They are a viper. The best way to distinguish venomous snakes(vipers) from non- venomous is:
a venomous snakes' head is larger and wider than it's body than non-venomous snakes and is usually diamond shaped. The only exception to this in North American venomous snakes is the coral snake

Answer 8

Cottonmouths have been in Indiana since I don't know when, but I'm guessing always. I don't know why some guy is spreading that they are not, other than he seems insistent that no one kill a snake. He says they are not poisonous so no reason to kill. Maybe he will come across one soon :) In any case, they are most definitely in Central and Southern Indiana. Usually you realize you've come upon one when it rears up and opens it's mouth. They do not usually retreat. They have pits and the eyes of a poisonous snake in addition to the white mouth inside.

Answer 9

black to dark green skin and the inside of the mouth is white also called a cottonmouth i stay away from snakes

Answer 10

I did not know they made water proof moccasins. Gee you yanks think of everything.