Opinions on this snake?

[Memphios]

My dad just sent me this photo that he took with his iPhone. I know its venomous but can't really tell the species. I think cottonmouth but what are your opinions?

 

[Critter1398]

That's definitely a cottonmouth.

 

[Theo's Keeper]

Every cottonmouth I've seen has been dark brown or almost black, with rattlesnake-like markings if any, but I'll admit I've never seen a juvenile, which this appears to be. I would say copperhead but I couldn't be sure. I do know for a fact that he's hiding under Virginia Creeper

 

[ziggybond_007]

That looks like a copperhead. Northern copperhead, I think, because it looks dark.

 

[ziggybond_007]

Actually, you're right, it's a juvenile cottonmouth. Rofl, I just had a conversation talking about how juvies in cottonmouths look like copperheads... Anyway, here's a photo.

http://www.kyherpsoc.org/kyappreciation/swamp/cotbabies03.jpg

 

[Memphios]

Yeah thanks for the responses! I also sent this out to a wildlife-savy person and he confirmed it as a cottonmouth, just a juvi coloration.

 

[WingedSweetheart]

Aren't cottonmouths water moccasins?

 

[reptile65]

Aren't cottonmouths water moccasins?

The term "water moccasin" refers to many different types of snakes. It basically means a snake that swims.

 

[WingedSweetheart]

Well around here Water Moccasins are a type of stake aka Cottonmouths. They are rarely found in WV because it's too cold here but my parents are always freaking every time we have a brown water snake in our pond.

 

[wstphal]

What I was told in FL as a kid was that "water moccasins" were cottonmouths, because they like wet or swampy environments & liked to swim, as opposed to copperheads, which were likely to be found (according to what I was told) in less swampy or more upland settings. I am not saying any of this is actually correct. Jeff can probably tell us. But that is what I was taught. As for Mucinous's dad's picture, I would have guessed EITHER juvie cottonmouth or copperhead.

 

[WingedSweetheart]

I think it looks more like a cottonmouth. I dunno about other places but it's head looks a lot different from the heads of the copperheads around here. Looks too dark.

 

[Cflaguy]

When I was coming up in the ranks in Florida.....

Aren't cottonmouths water moccasins?

The term "water moccasin" refers to many different types of snakes. It basically means a snake that swims.

What I was told in FL as a kid was that "water moccasins" were cottonmouths, because they like wet or swampy environments & liked to swim, as opposed to copperheads, which were likely to be found (according to what I was told) in less swampy or more upland settings. I am not saying any of this is actually correct. Jeff can probably tell us. But that is what I was taught. As for Mucinous's dad's picture, I would have guessed EITHER juvie cottonmouth or copperhead.

Water Moccasins did indeed mean water snakes. Then you went to individual designations like Cottonmouth, Banded Water, Brown Water, Green Water etc.

Many a time I would get a call to come get a moccasin, assuming I was getting a venomous snake. Only to find a Banded Water.

Copperheads and Cottonmouths are closely related, in some areas of the country Copperheads are known as "Upland" Moccasins. And you don't always find Cottonmouths to be exclusive to water.

 

[Ivorzz5]

CopperMouth, and baby most likely I agree.

 

[wstphal]

Water Moccasins did indeed mean water snakes. Then you went to individual designations like Cottonmouth, Banded Water, Brown Water, Green Water etc.

Many a time I would get a call to come get a moccasin, assuming I was getting a venomous snake. Only to find a Banded Water.

Copperheads and Cottonmouths are closely related, in some areas of the country Copperheads are known as "Upland" Moccasins. And you don't always find Cottonmouths to be exclusive to water.

Oh. My dad called only the venomous ones water moccasins. Never heard of the other water snakes being called moccasins. And he also said that copperheads & cottonmouths were very closely related, it was mostly environmental preferences & coloring that separated them.