Florida Cottonmouth/Water Moccasin
Agkistrodon piscivorous conanti
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photo ©Trudy
Bentley Rech 2004
Size- 20-48"
Identifiers- dark heavy body, facial stripe
- juveniles; banded light and dark brown
Adaptations- keeled scales, large head scales,
vertical pupil, facial pit, venomous
- juveniles wiggle yellow tail to attract prey
Status- found throughout Florida
Distribution- Florida subspecies
- Eastern subspecies, western subspecies
Habitat- wetlands, Pine flatwoods, Key's hammocks
Fun facts
- swims with head out of water
- when threatened opens white 'cotton' mouth
- water snakes lack eye stripe and triangular head
- bite victims require immediate medical care
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