Northern Cottonmouth

Names: Water moccasin, black moccasin, black snake, blunt-tail moccasin, congo, copperhead, cottonmouth water moccasin, cotton-mouthed snake, gapper, highland moccasin, lowland moccasin, mangrove rattler, moccasin, water viper, rusty moccasin, saltwater rattler, stub-tail, stump moccasin, stump-tail viper, swamp lion.

Average length: 30-48 in.

Juveniles: Juveniles are patterned like adults but are brighter, with more noticable crossbands. The background color may be pinkish and the bright, yellow tail tip is always present.

Habitats: Found in swamps, freshwater and marshes, ditches, streams, rivers, and forested and grassland habitat, as well as ponds. When out of the water, Northern Cottonmouths often lie under vegetation, in grasses, or under boards and other shelters. 

Venom ferocity: People rarely die if bitten, but because its bite destroys tissue, it can leave scars.