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Cottonmouth (Water mocassin)

Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma

Description

Aquatic; heavy body, black or dark brown, occasionally retaining faint traces of the juvenile pattern; belly cream with dark, paired lateral spots, black tail; triangular head, heat-sensing pits, elliptical pupils; juveniles display brown/cream pattern and yellow/green tail

Stats

Size

30 - 42 inches

Status

Endangered

Similar Species

Non-venomous Water snakes

Diet

Mostly fish, occasionally amphibians, small mammals and other snakes

Habitat

Only few specimens have ever been found in extreme Southern Indiana

Reproduction

Live bearing - 5 to 15 babies are born in August/September

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