They can be found basking in the sun during the day on rocks, logs and stumps, according to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. They primarily live in aquatic and wetland habitats, including swamps, marshes, drainage ditches, ponds, lakes and streams.Ĭottonmouths can be seen year-round during the day and at night, but they primarily hunt after dark, especially in the summer, according to the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. Where do cottonmouths live?Ĭottonmouths range from southeastern Virginia to Florida, west to central Texas and north to southern Illinois and Indiana, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Water MoccasinĬottonmouth and water moccasin are interchangeable terms for the venomous water snake. (Image credit: kristianbell via Getty Images) Cottonmouth vs. Young cottonmouth snakes have striking patterns that fade with age. The striking patterns present on the juveniles fades with age. "They undulate the tail tip slowly back and forth to lure prey, such as frogs, within striking distance," Viernum said. Juveniles also have bright-yellow tail tips that they use as lure to attract prey. Juvenile cottonmouths have more distinctive bands across their bodies and are lighter brown compared with adult cottonmouths. Trying to kill a snake greatly increases the risk of being bitten by one, according to the University of Florida. A water snake's head will also still be a similar width to the neck, even when flattened. A water snake's flattened head will look more triangular in shape, but not blocky and thick, like a cottonmouth's head. This flattening makes them look more like cottonmouths. Peterson Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America by Roger Conant and Joseph T.When threatened, nonvenomous water snakes, such as northern water snakes ( Nerodia sipedon) and southern water snakes ( Nerodia fasciata), often try to appear bigger than they are by flattening their bodies and heads.In Feburary 2016, Virginia named the eastern garter snake its state snake, beating out the timber rattlesnake for the honor.If handled or attacked, they will release a foul-smelling musk.Garter snakes are non-venomous, but can be fairly aggressive and will readily strike and bite, sometimes causing an allergic reaction in humans.Garter snakes typically live 3 to 4 years. Young are five to nine inches long at birth. Females give birth to a litter of 10 to 40 live young in summer. A single female may be courted by several males simultaneously, forming a "breeding ball." Unlike most snakes, garter snakes do not lay eggs. Reproduction and Life CycleĮastern garter snakes mate in spring after emerging from winter hibernation. Predators include hawks, skunks, raccoons, larger snakes and bullfrogs. These snakes feed during the day on earthworms, millipedes, spiders, insects, salamanders, small fish, frogs and toads. The snake's unmarked belly is cream-colored to yellowish green. Some individuals have red or orange on the skin between their dorsal scales. The area between the stripes is often a checkerboard pattern of black or green spots. This center stripe is often paralleled by two less distinct white, yellow, brown, green or bluish stripes, although occasionally individuals appear all black with no stripes. Their backs are dark brown, green or olive-colored with a distinct yellow or white stripe running down the center. Adult eastern garter snakes grow to 18 to 26 inches long with keeled (ridged) scales and variation in their coloration and patterns.
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