Fauna
Reptile

Florida Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon conanti

Also known as Florida Water Moccasin, Water Moccasin, Cottonmouth

Florida cottonmouths inhabit cypress swamps, marshes, and slow-moving waterways throughout Florida and southern Georgia. When threatened, these heavy-bodied pit vipers coil tightly, vibrate their tails, and gape open their jaws to expose a stark white mouth lining as a warning. They are opportunistic predators that hunt underwater, along muddy banks, and occasionally on dry land far from water.

VenomousSemi-aquaticPit Viper
Florida Cottonmouth reference1 / 7
(c) Scott Allen Davis, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFrogs, Fish, Small Mammals
Predators
  • Eastern Kingsnake
  • American Alligator
  • Great Blue Heron
ThreatsPersecution, wetland loss, road mortality
HabitatsSwamps, marshes, streams, brackish waters, adjacent uplands
Life span10–20 years
Classification
  1. FamilyViperidae
  2. SpeciesAgkistrodon conanti
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskVery high
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is very high
Delivers dangerous hemotoxic venom through a painful bite; maintain a distance of at least two meters.
Why it is dangerous
Venom contains potent hemotoxins and cytotoxins that break down tissues, causing extensive necrosis, severe pain, and potential systemic damage.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a thick body, distinct dark facial stripe through the eye, broad triangular head, and vertical slit pupils.
What to do
Freeze and slowly back away if encountered, never attempt to pick up or corner the snake, and seek immediate medical care if bitten.
Responsible observation
  • Keep Distance: Maintain at least two meters of space from any semi-aquatic snake in its range.
  • Watch Footing: Step carefully near water edges, thick vegetation, and fallen logs where snakes rest.
  • Avoid Confusion: Learn to distinguish venomous pit vipers from non-venomous watersnakes by head shape and facial heat pits.
Related species
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