Origin
Agkistrodon piscivorus, is a venomous semi-aquatic snake that is native to North America. It grows from 26-74 in (66 to 188 cm) long although it is uncommon to see one at the larger end of that scale. The mouth is bright white inside, which gives them their common name, 'Cottonmouth'. Their scales are keeled, which makes them feel rough to the touch. It is endemic to the United States and is commonly found throughout the south-eastern states. It ranges from the Florida Peninsula and south-eastern Virginia, west to central and eastern Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and south-eastern Kansas, and north to southern Illinois. Although usually found on the mainland, populations of the cottonmouth have also been observed on offshore islands. There are three subspecies in this species. Eastern (Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus) has an undefined cheek stripe and can be found in Virginia, North & South Carolina, Georiga, and Alabama. Florida (Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti) has a distinct cheek stripe and can be found in Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Western (Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma) has no markings and can be found in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Caution: A bite from this snake can be fatal. If you encounter it walk away. Do not attempt to handle it.

Life Cycle
Females reach sexual maturity at about three years and males at two years. Mating occurs in the spring. Females retain the eggs, which develop inside her body for about 5 months, after which they give birth to live young. The sex of the young is determined through genetics, not the environment. These snakes exhibit determinate growth. Fertilization and pregnancy are based on the female's physical condition, so gestation periods vary somewhat from snake to snake. The young are born from early August through early October. Females give birth to from 3-12 young every 2-3 years. Newborn cottonmouths are 6-11 in (15.2-28 cm) long. They have brownish to reddish bodies with lines that are wide on the sides and narrow across the back. The young are born with yellow or greenish-gray tail tips and come complete with functional fangs and a full supply of venom. DO NOT TOUCH a young cottonmouth! Cottonmouths have a lifespan of less than ten years.

Distribution
A. piscivorus is an opportunistic, generalist feeder, the cottonmouth eats fish, arthropods, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Like other snakes, prey selection of A. piscivorus is limited by the size of its mouth, resulting in a difference in diets between adults and juveniles. They prefer wetlands but are also found on land in vegetation and under logs and branches. Because A. piscivorus are semiaquatic, they are most commonly found in moist habitats in close proximity to water. They can also be found in bodies of water including bays, salt marshes, lakes, creeks, ditches, and even on river bottoms. In the water, A. piscivorus is easy to idenitify. They hold their head up out of the water and you can see most of their body on the surface of the water.

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References

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Common Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.

Scientific Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.