What is the diffrence between and Water Moccosion and a Cotton mouth??

Question

My boyfreind says they are the same but i think they diffrent...are they??

Answer 1

Exact same species, but different names (Ankistrodon piscivorous). Like 'corn' snake and 'red rat' snake (Elephe guttata). Many snakes have various names. I could go on and on about this.

To Gimmenameno. Yes, that's a good theory about water snakes trying to get a free meal. I have seen it. Another thing that is quite common is that, since most species of snakes have poor eyesight, when they are in danger they panic and don't know which way they are going (sometimes going towards someone they don't see). I have never in thirty seven years of wild snake experience seen a wild snake actually 'chase' someone. Another note to mention for all other posts (that aren't aware of this), is that non-venomous water snakes are NOT water moccasins (cottonmouths). This is just what many people call them because they think they are moccasins (cottonmouths). And to the untrained eye, this holds quite true. I have been called in to remove (venomous snakes over a hundred times, and not one of them were venomous). Juvenile black racers that people thought were pygmy rattlesnakes, scarlet snakes and scarlet king snakes mistaken for coral snakes, and my favorite, hognose snakes being mistaken as cobras. Well, the list goes on and on.

Yes, it seems that everyone knows the basic answer, water moccasins and cottonmouths are the same species without a doubt. Looks like a serious game of cut throat to me with all the thumbs down. Wait until voting time and there's really going to be a feeding frenzy for points. Heck, I might just delete my answer.

Answer 2

Same species, different names. I think the "official" common name for Agkistrodon piscivorus is Cottonmouth, but Water Moccasin and other names like black moccasin, water viper, etc are sometimes used locally.

EDIT: In regards to steve c's comment, cottonmouths are generally non-aggressive and only attack when provoked. Perhaps he's confusing non-venomous northern watersnakes with cottonmouths, a common mistake.

Answer 3

Right, same snake. They are one of the 5 venomous species found all over Florida. In regards to Steve's answer concerning how aggressive they are, when our herp society was on a field trip, several male members of the society tried to deliberately antagonize a cotton mouth. They even poked it with sticks. Perhaps the snake took pity on them for their ignorance...nothing they did could provoke him into striking.

Answer 4

Oh no! Everyone who's telling the truth and saying the water mocassins and cottonmouths are the same thing is getting a thumbs down!

Sorry, but they are the same exact snake, it depends on who you're talking to on what they're going to call it.

My theory with "aggression" from water snakes of any kind is that it's people fishing... snake follows the bait or lure or hooked fish in looking for an easy meal. Theories everywhere....

Answer 5

Your boyfriend is right.
They are two different names for the same snake, Agkistrodon piscivorus.
Cottonmouth is the generally accepted common name- some people also erroneously refer to harmless water snakes as water moccasins.

Answer 6

It's the same snake. I think the real full name is a Cottonmouth Water Moccassin.

Watch out! Those are about the meanest snakes we have in the U.S. Just about every other snake crawls away as fast as they can. I've had cottonmouths charge at me.

I think they were moms protecting their nests.

Answer 7

they are the same sorry. usually region plays a big part on what name is used.

Answer 8

None