The Cottonmouth

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Eastern Diamondback Picture Credited to TimVickers Wikipedia Commons Public Domain

Trying to figure out which is the deadliest snake is difficult. The reason for this is because you have to take into account a number of factors. For example, the coral snake is largely considered to have the most “deadly” venom, but they much more unusual to come across than say a cottonmouth. Also, the coral snake does not have the venom delivery system of the average rattlesnake. They have smaller fangs that are located in the rear of their mouth. While the coral snake can and does bite and deliver venom, it is much harder to do so than a rattlesnake with large fangs that can penetrate boots.

With this in mind, the two snakes that jump out at me are the Western Diamondback and the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnakes. The Mojave rattlesnake would likely be right there with these two if it were a bit more common, and more widespread. They are found in a pretty focused area that is often not inhabited by human beings. This leads to fewer bites, and therefore precludes their being included as one of the deadliest.

The Western Diamondback has no such qualms. They are around plenty of humans and do plenty of biting when compared to the majority of venomous snakes. Their venom is powerful, and they deliver the bite with large fangs that can give a large dose of that deadly venom. Many consider the Western Diamondback to be the deadliest snake in the United States.

For my money, the Eastern Diamondback is about as deadly as they come. This is not only the deadliest snake in America in my opinion, it is also the largest venomous snake as well. They grown big, fat, and can have a nasty disposition when they are bothered. The venom glands are huge on the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, and they are not shy about injecting that venom.

Of all the snakes in America, I call the Eastern Diamondback the deadliest overall. The Western diamondback is a close second, with the Mojave close behind them.

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"Timber Rattlesnake", photo authors: Clinton & Charles Robertson

While Kentucky is known for its bluegrass, thoroughbred horses, and country music stars, it is also home to dozens of snake species.  Among the 32 snake species found in “The Bluegrass State,” four are venomous.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) compiled a report of all 32 venomous and non-venomous snakes found in Kentucky.  Based on information gathered from the KDFWR’s Kentucky Snakes booklet, here methods of identifying Kentucky’s venomous snakes, as well as profiles of the 4 venomous snakes found in Kentucky.

How to Identify Kentucky’s Venomous Snakes

All of Kentucky’s venomous snakes belong in a group known as “pit vipers.”  In the Kentucky Snakes booklet, the KDFWR provided a couple of tips for distinguishing between Kentucky’s venomous and non-venomous snakes.

• Kentucky’s pit vipers have a sensory “pit” found on the side of the head in between the nostril and eye.
• Venomous snakes have vertically shaped pupils.

In addition, Kentucky’s four venomous snakes all have heads shaped like spades, in which the neck of the snake is not as wide as the back of the head.  However, this is not a definite source of venomous snake identification, in that several species of non-venomous snakes can defensively flatten their heads into a similar triangular shape.

Kentucky’s 4 Venomous Snakes

1. Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)

This snake can be found in every corner of Kentucky.  It is also one of the most commonly misidentified snakes, because of its various shades of coloring that are similar to many of Kentucky’s non-venomous snakes.  The copperhead can be found in lengths ranging from a few inches, to over 3 feet.  They usually feed on small mammals like mice, but have been known to eat lizards, frogs, etc.

While the coloring of a copperhead can vary from a quite literal reddish-copper color, to shades of brown, this snake species is most clearly identified by the distinctly shaped pattern on its body.  The pattern is most commonly described as “hourglass,” in that the bands are wider at the sides and narrower in the middle.

2. Western Cottonmouth (Akistrodon piscivorus leucostoma)

This snake – found in the Western part of the state – is similar in length to the copperhead, although the longest Western cottonmouths can reach nearly 4 feet in length.  It is a nondescript, dark-colored snake which can be difficult to identify on appearance alone.  Young cottonmouths have a body pattern similar to that of a copperhead, but much of this pattern fades with age.

You can typically find these snakes near water.  Western cottonmouths feed on a wide variety of prey including various rodents and even other snakes.  If cottonmouths feel threatened they will bare the inside of their white-colored mouths.  Cottonmouths will also vibrate their tails as a defense mechanism.

3. Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

The timber rattlesnake is the king of the state’s venomous snakes as far as size is concerned.  These monsters can grow up to 5 feet in length, and are heavy-bodied.  Sometimes timber rattlesnakes can be solid black, but they are often yellow, gray, brown, or have a greenish color, with a darker shade of band that crosses the body.

Timber rattlesnakes can be found in the woods of Kentucky in most every area except for parts of Central and Northern Kentucky.  These snakes are not aggressive by nature, and will lie in wait for their next meal to approach, which is most often a squirrel.

4. Western Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius steckeri)

This tiny snake – only averaging between 5-20 inches in size – is only found in three specific counties in Kentucky: Calloway, Trigg, and Lyon.  Thus far, the Western pygmy rattlesnake has not been extensively studied in the state of Kentucky, so much of the information gathered by the KDFWR was from pygmy rattlesnake behaviors exhibited in other locations.

Like the cottonmouth, the pygmy rattlesnake is typically found around water.  The pygmy is a lighter grayish-brown color, and has dark-patterned spots on its body.  It may have rusty-colored bars or stripes along its back.  Like other venomous snakes, the pygmy rattlesnake likes to feed on rodents, and even preys on small snakes and frogs.

In a state known for recreation and outdoor activities, it is important to provide education about potentially dangerous wildlife, instead of inciting fear based on exaggerated notions or facts.  Unprovoked attacks from these venomous snakes is highly unlikely.  In fact, only around 10 deaths occur annually in the U.S. from venomous snake bites.

If you see any of these snakes, or think that you have seen one keep your distance, do not try to capture or kill the snake, and contact the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources at 1-800-858-1549 for further information.  In the rare case that you are bitten by a venomous snake, please seek medical attention immediately.

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The Copperhead

The family of rattlesnakes, of which there are many subspecies, are among the more deadly along with the coral snake. The coral snake is not quite as dangerous simply because they are not encountered nearly as often, and when they do they are not as quick to bite. The cottonmouth is a fairly plentiful species, and they are certainly not afraid to bite, but they are found primarily in the Southern part of the US. The copperhead is spread all over. They are quick to bite if stepped on or messed with.

Another key factor with copperhead venomous snake bites is that they are found where the people are. Copperheads will set up in residential neighborhoods, farms, and even small forests that line the neighborhoods. If you see a venomous snake around your home, the chances are very high that it is a copperhead. Because of this proximity to people, the copperhead snake bite is the most common venomous snake bite in the United States.

The bite of the copperhead can range from very mild to highly dangerous. Most healthy adults will not have a serious problem with copperhead snake bites. Children, the elderly or anyone with a compromised immune system however can have major reactions to copperhead snake bite venom. As such, any copperhead snake bite should be viewed as a medical emergency. You should head to the emergency room as soon as possible if you are bitten by this snake.

The copperhead is by and large a very harmless snake that wants no part of people. They provide a wonderful service to our ecosystem, and without these snakes we would likely be overrun with vermin and things of this nature.

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The cottonmouth, commonly referred to as a water moccasin, is a stout bodied snake that is alternately described as reclusive and aggressive. My personal experience with this pit viper is that it is highly territorial, and not likely to give ground when confronted. That said, the cottonmouth has never exactly been aggressive as far as what I have seen. It will stand it’s ground, gape open it’s mouth, and wait for you to leave. This is not exactly aggressive behavior as much as stubborn.

There are at least three subspecies of cottonmouth found in North America, and they are all fairly abundant within their ranges. There is the Eastern Cottomouth (Agkistrodan piscivorus piscivorus), the Florida cottonmouth (Agkistrodan piscivorus conanti) and the Western cottonmouth (Agkistrodan piscivorus leucostoma). They all are similar with coloration being the primary difference among them. This article will deal with the Eastern cottonmouth as this is the species of which I have the most knowledge of.

Is the Cottonmouth Dangerous?

Cottonmouths are venomous, and the venom is somewhat comparable to the bite of most large rattlesnakes. They are not quite as serious as those rattlesnakes, but they are more toxic than the copperhead. The bite of the cottonmouth can cause massive tissue loss at the site of the bite, and often will make you incredibly sick. Can it kill you? Absolutely it can if you do not get treatment for the bite. The vast majority of cottonmouth snake bites do not end in death, however. Bites should be considered serious and should always be treated as an emergency.

Where Are Cottonmouths Located?

Cottonmouth snakes are very common throughout the Southeast to include North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas. This list is far from all inclusive, but it is the “hot bed” of cottonmouth locations.

How Big Do Cottonmouths Get?

The cottonmouth can grow up to about 3-4 feet on average. They do not get extremely long, but they are known to get quite fat. Their bodies are very stout and the snake is quite powerful looking as a rule. Baby cottonmouths are usually about a foot.

Identification of the Cottonmouth

Cottonmouth snakes are usually identified by the white coloration that is clearly shown to anyone that happens to be close. The cottonmouth will generally curl into a strike position and gape open its jaws, thereby showing the reason they are called cottonmouths. The two large fangs that are hinged back when the snake closes its mouth are sometimes visible as well. If you are close enough to note the fangs, then you are way too close.

The head of the cottonmouth is noticeably larger than the neck, and they are generally triangular in shape. The head also houses pits which allow the snake to hunt effectively. These heat sensing pits are a primary feature of a pit viper such as the cottonmouth.

The cottonmouth also can be highly variant in color, depending on where it is located and the species. In general, cottonmouths are darker as they age, and markings begin to fade. The cottonmouth often has bands that are serrated at the edges. The ground color can be black, grey, brown, or even a olive color.

Cottonmouth Behavior

The cottonmouth has been known to do some odd things. They are not your everyday snake by any means. For example, when a cottonmouth goes into the water, they swim with the head up and over the body. Most other water snakes swim low in the water.

The classic urban myth about a water skier falling into a bed of cottonmouths is simply not true. Cottonmouths do not nest in the water, and they tend to run when in the water. Oddly, they do not seem as brave in the water as they are on land. On land, the cottonmouth is usually going to stand its ground.

Though the cottonmouth is widely feared, it should not be. The snake is a formidable reptile that deserves respect, not fear. As long as you give them a wide berth, the cottonmouth will never be a problem for anyone. They are beautiful and quite necessary in our ecosystems throughout the United States.

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