Florida Cottonmouth

Agkistrodon conanti

Reptiles & AmphibiansIn the app

A venomous pitviper that averages 20-48 inches and has a thick, heavy body. They have a triangular head with a sharp-edged snout and scales over the eyes that stick out,…

How to identify

A venomous pitviper that averages 20-48 inches and has a thick, heavy body. They have a triangular head with a sharp-edged snout and scales over the eyes that stick out, creating a furrowed brow appearance. They are named for the bright white skin inside their mouth. Their body is brown with dark brown jagged, irregular bands and often spots between the bands. They have a distinct horizontal dark brown bar behind each eye, which is bordered by a thin pale stripe above and a thicker pale stripe below. They have 2 vertical stripes on the tip of the snout. Their patterning is generally darker on the distal third of their body. They have elliptical pupils.

Range

Ranges throughout Florida, southern Georgia, southern Alabama, and southeastern Mississippi.

Habitat

This species is found in wetland habitats, near all types of natural or manmade water bodies. It will rarely travel far from water. They like to hide in thick vegetation around water.

Variations

Some are very dark all over with subtle patterning, while others are vibrantly patterned. The patterning on their face is almost always distinct. They can have a reddish overall hue.

Similar species

Most likely to be mistaken for the northern cottonmouth (*Agkistrodon piscivorus*) or eastern copperhead (*Agkistrodon contortrix*). It could also be confused with the nonvenomous banded watersnake (*Nerodia fasciata*) or brown watersnake (*Nerodia taxispilota*).