Wildlife Spotlight: Cottonmouth
© Peter May
Cottonmouth
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Also known as the water moccasin, the cottonmouth is found in wetlands
and waterways throughout the state. When threatened, the cottonmouth
may expose the white interior of its mouth. Although feared for its
venomous bite, the cottonmouth usually retreats when approached by humans.
People commonly believe cottonmouths drop into boats from tree limbs
overhanging the water. It’s the harmless, far more common brown
water snake that suns itself on tree limbs and that’s most likely
to fall into passing boats when frightened. Juvenile cottonmouths attract
frogs and minnows by flicking their brightly colored tail tips, which
look like worms or caterpillars.
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