Water viper facts for kids
Agkistrodon piscivorus, often called the cottonmouth snake, is a type of highly venomous snake. People also know it as the water moccasin or water viper. You can find these snakes in the southeastern United States. They are a kind of pit viper. Cottonmouths get their name because the inside of their mouth is all white. It looks like cotton when they open it.
Cottonmouths are sometimes confused with Northern water snakes. Northern water snakes are harmless. However, the cottonmouth is very different because it is dangerous and venomous.
Contents
Where Do Cottonmouths Live?
Cottonmouth snakes live in the southeastern United States. They love to be near water. You can often find them in places like marshes, bogs, lakes, rivers, and ponds. They can live in almost any body of water you can imagine.
What Do Cottonmouths Eat?
Cottonmouths are carnivores, meaning they eat other animals. Their diet includes many different creatures. They eat birds, frogs, and toads. They also hunt lizards, smaller cottonmouths, and even small alligators. Sometimes, they will eat turtles too. Like many snakes, cottonmouths will eat whatever food they can find.
Are Cottonmouths Dangerous?
Cottonmouths are one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. This is because they are highly venomous. Venom is a special poison that the snake injects when it bites. It can make people very sick.
If you ever see a snake that looks like a cottonmouth, it is very important to stay far away. Never try to touch or pick up any snake you are not sure about. It is always best to admire snakes from a safe distance.
Images for kids
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A young cottonmouth snake.
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A newborn cottonmouth, showing its bright markings and yellow tail tip.
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A cypress swamp in Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, a common cottonmouth home.
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A cottonmouth opening its mouth as a warning. You can see the white inside.
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A light-colored adult cottonmouth.
See also
In Spanish: Boca de algodón para niños
