| The cottonmouth is a large bodied, semi-aquatic serpent that
reaches a maximum length of around 6 feet. The sub-species that is found in the Mississippi Delta is the western cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma.
They are generally dark
olive, brown, or black. Many cottonmouths do have markings such as the
western cottonmouth shown below but they are usually hidden by a layer
of mud. The snake feeds on
a wide variety of fish, frogs, small mammals, and even other snakes.
The name cottonmouth comes from the snake's habit of throwing its head
up and rearward to display the white lining inside its mouth. This
display is a WARNING signal to intruders and should be taken very
SERIOUSLY - at this point the snake is ready (and quite able) to defend
itself. When the snake is in this position it can deliver a rapid bite
from a distance of about two thirds of its body. | Although
many bites from venomous snakes don't deliver venom
(a dry bite), cottonmouths routinely inject venom when angry. The venom
is delivered through the two fangs located at the top of the mouth. The
fangs are folded inward when the mouth is closed and spring outward
when the snake opens its mouth (look closely at the photo below right,
can you see the fangs?). The venom is a Hemotoxin which destroys
red blood cells, disrupts blood clotting, and causes tissue and organ
damage. The venom is used to subdue and help digest the snake's prey;
which is why most viper bites to humans are dry bites, the snake can't
eat a human. Bites from vipers are very painful and potentially fatal
so they should be taken very seriously; SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
immediately if you are bitten by a viperid snake. |
