Cottonmouth, Classic Snake

Cottonmouth Appearance

Cottonmouth snakes, otherwise known as water moccasins, are a medium sized snake, often growing to be four feet in length, and I've even seen up to five feet. They are generally a dark shade of brown or a dull black and will occasionally have lighter banding visible on their sides. The younger snakes have lighter color and more distinct patterns. The body of this snake is considered to be bulky with a distinct neck going into a relatively large, triangular head. The tail also tapers off quickly at the end of the body, from fat to thin. Like most pit vipers, the cottonmouth has pupils which are shaped like slits. This snake is considered very venomous, producing a toxin which prohibits the ability of the blood to clot while destroying tissue on a cellular level. Any area that comes in contact with water moccasin venom will begin to hemorrhage, giving the name "cytotoxic" (similar to ‘hemotoxic’ ) to this type of poison.

Cottonmouth habitat and behavior

Cottonmouths are semi-aquatic snakes, meaning they spend the majority of their lives in the water. They are found predominately in the southern part of the United States, including all of Florida and up the coast, and in the mid south, up the Mississippi River system. living in and near small and large bodies of water. Water moccasins are often mistaken for non-venomous brown water snakes, one of the reasons they are particularly lethal.

Like all pit vipers, the cottonmouth snake has two heat sensing pits located between the eyes and the nostrils. These pits allow the snake to pinpoint live prey and to strike without the need of a visual. This hunting adaptation is particularly useful after dark when most animals’ bodies are warmer than the air around them. Hunting, and most of the snake’s activities, takes place during the night. Because of this, and because the water moccasin spends much of its time in the water, the snake spends a considerable amount of time basking in the sun. The cool water saps the snake’s body temperature much faster than land bound serpents. Basking is an efficient way to regulate body temperature. 

Female snakes will give birth to litters of up to ten live snakes after the spring mating season. The babies are born from eggs which are hatched inside of the female snake and are not developed in a uterus like mammalian animals. Like almost all other reptiles, baby snakes are on their own as soon as they are born. 

Cottonmouth DIET

The cottonmouth eats a large variety of wildlife. Frogs, salamanders, fish, other snakes, birds, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and a host of other small creatures are all fair game to the snake. When a prey animal is detected, the cottonmouth will strike, holding its victim for a moment to allow the full

injection of venom to take place. Once that happens, the snake immediately releases its prey to limit the amount of retaliation, especially from strong mammals. If the prey escapes and runs away, the snake will track it by smell and consume it once it is dead. 

Like the copperhead snake, young cottonmouths will use their tails to lure amphibians to them. Once the unsuspecting frog or salamander is close enough, the baby cottonmouth snake will strike. This method of attracting prey is called ‘caudal luring’. 

Cottonmouth facts: 

The cottonmouth snake gets its name from the defense position the snake takes when it feels threatened. When antagonized, the cottonmouth will coil up and display its fangs, revealing the pale white skin inside of the mouth. 

Cottonmouths are very buoyant, with most of their bodies visible when they swim. Other, non-venomous water snakes will swim with their bodies completely submerged except for the head. 

These snakes can and will attack underwater. 

During the winter, cottonmouths will hibernate, sometimes sharing dens with other venomous snakes. In consistently warm climates, the cottonmouth has been known to not hibernate at all. 

Commonly thought of as an aggressive snake, the cottonmouth’s reputation has been greatly exaggerated. If given the chance, the snake will flee before it will pose to strike. 

The origins of the title ‘water moccasin’ are unknown, though it is speculated that name comes from the leather-like coloration of the snakes or the silent movement akin to that of moccasin wearing Native Americans. 

When do Cottonmouths give birth?

Many people don't know: does the cottonmouth snake lay eggs or give birth to live young? The answer is that they give birth to live young! Usually about ten, but up to twenty, little baby cottonmouth snakes, each about ten inches long. That's how big baby cottonmouth snakes are at birth. Since they don't hatch from eggs, the mother snake is present when they are born, but they then abandon the young, despite some claims that they stick around to protect their offspring. When do they have the young? Usually in August or September. The young are also dangerous, so keep an eye out in late summer!

Why is a water moccasin called cotton mouth - The water moccosin snake, one of the deadly vipers of North America, has a secondary name, one that was given to it for identification purposes. Early settlers were warned of the water moccosin by Native Americans, the culture that is credited for giving the snake its original name. when travelers started fording rivers and deep streams, the danger of the water moccasin became very real. To spread the word in a more reliable manner, the name cotton mouth was given to the snake. This is because, when harassed, the snake will curl up and bare its fangs, exposing its pale, white mouth. The name cotton mouth was far easier to identify with danger than the poorly descriptive ‘water moccasin’.Both terms are still used today to refer to the water-loving serpent. Cotton mouths are often mistaken for common brown water snakes which are nonvenomous. There is no reason to handle a cotton mouth. If you see one sunning itself on the bank, leave it alone. More people are bitten by venomous snakes in an effort to kill them than are bitten from stumbling on the animal by accident. Vipers have the ability to strike with alarming speed and over substantial distance. 

Black Racer? Not Car, it's Snake

Biology

The Black Racer snake, known as Coluber constrictor priapus, is one of the most common types of nonvenomous snakes in the southern United States. One of the telling characteristics of this subspecies of snake is that they are very active during daytime. The physical appearance of a black racer includes having a black dorsal side, a grey belly and a white him. Furthermore, because they are very active during the day, they tend to be a very fast snake. 

Black Racers are considered to be snakes that are color blind. As adults, these snakes can reach up to 55 inches in length (with a maximum of approximately 70 inches). The Racer will also shed its skin once a year. 

The scientific name ‘constrictor’ is a very big misnomer. A Black Racer, although shares some similar characteristics to constrictors, portrays very little of the behavior patterns which give a constrictor its name. For example, a Black Racer does not coil around and suffocate their prey. 

Habitat

The Black Racer snake mainly resides in the southern United States. Also known as a Blue Racer, Blue Runner, and Black Runner, the Black Racer tends to live in areas that are much wooded. This includes forested areas, brushes, thickets, fields and the bigger gardens that are found in suburban yards. One of the main defensive mechanisms of the Black Racer is its ability to vibrate its tail in thick grass; the sound that results is very similar to a Rattlesnake. Because of this, Black Racers are normally found resting and hunting in heavily grassed areas. 

Often, Black Racers around found in a ‘kink’ position in grassy or wooded areas. This position gives the impression that the snake is a fallen branch. This ‘kink’ technique usually occurs when a Black Racer is sleeping or resting and is used to fend off any predators. 

Behavior

The behavior and habits of a Black Racer are very unique. It’s an excellent swimmer, as well as climber, and can move at incredibly quick speeds (which is why it aptly has the term ‘racer’ in its name). Although nonvenomous, a technique often performed by a Racer snake when it’s corned is to bite its prey. In general, Black Racers tend to choose flight over fight but there are times when the snake will pursue its prey. For these reasons, the Black Racer snake is considered a much more domestic and violent snake. 

Humans still remain the greatest threat to the Black Racer species. A large majority of these snakes are killed by vehicles; furthermore, many of this species are killed on purpose out of fear. Its appearance is very similar to a Water Moccasin, a poisonous snake that is found in similar locations as a Black Racer. Other threats to the Black Racer include the hawk, as well as other larger birds. These birds will attack from above. 

Diet

The Black Racer mainly eats animals which are smaller than it. These include insects, moles, birds, smaller snakes, lizards, rodents and most frogs. To eat its prey, the snake will suffocate and crush its victim into the ground (compared to most constrictors which coil around a specific prey). When hunting, a Black Racer will attack quickly, usually attacking in grassy areas – or in water. In general, it chooses its location carefully. Black Racer snakes have a bigger diet than other snakes in the area. This may seem like a negative trait but is actually very positive. Black Racers are known to improve gardens in the suburbs; this is because they remove animals which are detrimental to the garden. 

Reproductive

Normally, breeding and egg laying will occur in the spring and summer months. A maximum of 20 eggs can be laid by each snake. Like other reptiles, Racer Snakes do not protect their young, nor feed their young. Black Racer snakes are born about six inches long and will rely on their camouflage in their early days for survival. Baby Racers look much different than adults. They come born with numerous spots, both black and white. These spots merge together, as well as darken, as the snake grows older. 

On average, the survival rate of newly born Black Racers is around forty percent. This means, in general, around only eight babies survive through the first year of their life. 

Coachwhip Snake Fact and Habitat

Coachwhip Snake Biology

The coachwhip snake (Masticophis flagellum) is a species of snake that is native to the southern continental United States, stretching from the east to west coasts. Coach whips are also native to northern Mexico. Coachwhips are very thin snakes, which is why they are said to resemble a type of whip. Unlike many other snake species the coachwhip has a very thin head that is almost the same width as its body. This can make it difficult to distinguish between the head and the tail of a coachwhip from far away. While they are extremely thin, coachwhips can reach remarkable lengths. Some adult coachwhips reach nearly two meters in length. A more common length for an adult coach whip is over one meter. 

The coachwhip is actually a very diverse species of snake, with several subspecies of coachwhip known to exist. The subspecies include the Sonoran coachwhip, the Eastern coachwhip, the Baja California coachwhip, the Line coachwhip, the Red coachwhip, the San Joaquin coachwhip and the Western coachwhip. Because of this great diversity the coachwhips in one region often have a different coloration pattern than those in another region. In many areas the most common color for a coachwhip is a shade of brown, but green and even pink or red coachwhip specimens have been collected. The coachwhip can have a unique color pattern that changes from the head of the snake to the tail. This is very unusual in most snake species. Coachwhips have very distinctive round eyes that are a deep black with a ring of lighter coloration around the pupil. Their large round pupils give the coachwhip snake extremely keen eyesight. 

Habitat

Coachwhips can be found throughout the southern United States and northern Mexico. They are an extremely common sighting in gardens and yards across states like California, Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Florida. The coach whip usually prefers to live in an open grassy area, such as the southern great plains. However, coachwhip sightings within less dense forest regions are quite common as well. 

Behaviour

Unlike many other colubrid snake species, the coachwhip is diurnal rather than nocturnal. This means that it is most active during the daytime hours between sunrise and sunset. The coachwhip snake’s preference for daytime activities partially account for why it is such a common snake to encounter. Another reason coachwhips are easy to find is that they do not hide much. As active hunters, they are constantly slithering through open grassy areas where a human might encounter them. Although coachwhips are extremely easy to spot because of their active nature during the daytime, catching one is another matter entirely. Coach whips are known to be exceptionally fast snakes. Furthermore, they are cautious and do not like to be in close proximity to humans. This is why most coachwhip sightings occur when a human surprises one and sees the snake rapidly slithering away. Coachwhips have an undeserved reputation of aggression towards humans because of their extremely fast speed on land. In reality, coachwhips do not pose any danger to humans. They are usually nonaggressive towards people and do not produce any venom. A coachwhip bite can cause a bit of pain, but as long as the wound is kept clean the person usually recovers from a coachwhip bite with no serious long-term problems. 

Diet

The coachwhip’s keen eyesight makes it an excellent hunter. The coach whip snake does not passively hunt its prey like many other snakes. Rather it will ACTIVELY go after a potential meal. Coachwhips do not rely on either venom or constriction to capture prey. Instead the coachwhip relies on its speed to quickly grab prey with its mouth. Its diet consists of any small animal it can catch. Because of its geographic locations, the most common prey of the coachwhip snake are other small reptiles including lizards, frogs and snakes, as well as smaller rodents and birds. Occasionally the coachwhip will eat a large insect or spider as well. 

Reproductive

Like most snake species in the United States, coachwhips typically breed during the spring months from March through June. Coachwhips are oviparous, meaning the female lays eggs rather than giving birth to live young that hatched within the mother. Coachwhip eggs take a few months to hatch. The females are unusual in the great number of eggs they can hatch, with some clutches reaching nearly 30 eggs. 

Black Rat Snake, Most Black and Most Amazing

Black Rat Snake Biology

In general, black rat snakes are a medium-sized snake. Their average length is between 40 to 70 inches. The widest point of the snake’s body is usually near the tail section and the snake has an average diameter of around two inches. This length and width makes black rat snakes have a powerful and sleek body that is able to move fluidly horizontally on the ground, as well as vertically in trees. The snake is covered with black keeled scales. It's a black snake – one of the only species with such an opaque color – with a slightly white chin.

Black Rat Snake Habitat & Range

These snakes are mainly found in in the eastern United States and midwest; this includes parts of New England and, spanning west, includes its of Texas and Nebraska. As far as the rat snake species goes, the black rat snake is the most common. They have been known to be found in some northern parts of Oklahoma and, further, have been found in isolated patches within Canada.  They like a variety of habitats, from meadow to forest.

The rat snake species all similar characteristics and much of their habitat is identical. However, each sub-species, including the black rat snake, have their differences. The black rat snake, for example, likes to live in high-altitude regions and tend to find homes in rocky areas; however, certain black snakes, like those from more northern regions, are found to live in flat farmlands. Ultimately, the black rat snake is a very adaptable species that can live in a variety of environments. 

Behavior

Rat snakes are very timid creatures which try to avoid confrontation. Often, they will lie in what is called the 'kink' position. The 'kink' position involves the snake remaining motionless with its body in a slight s-curve. This position is supposed to imitate the look of a fallen branch and, thus, avoid any attacks from unsuspecting predators. Adult black snakes have been known to be more aggressive than young rat snakes. They will rattle their tails to simulate a rattlesnake and will strike if provoked far enough. 

A black rat snakes best defense is its last 'smell release'. When in serious danger, like being attacked by a dangerous predator, the snake will release a foul smelling musk-like smell. The smell is supposed to imitate what a poison-like smell would taste like – on most occasions, this isn't a very effective technique. Region also has an effect on the behavior of a black rat snake. For example, Texas rat snakes are much more snappy and aggressive. 

Diet

Black rat snakes normally eat any kind of rodent that is smaller than they are. This usually consists of small lizards, baby mice and small frogs. Older and larger black rat snakes will eat larger rodents, as well as consume other kinds of mammals. This may include chipmunks, moles and a large variety of mice and rats. Sometimes, a black rat snake, if desperate, will eat bird eggs. 

To eat their food, rat snakes use the constriction technique. This involves them waiting patiently before a prey is unsuspecting; then they will strike, first biting the prey and then moving in and strangling them. The constriction process usually takes some time; then, afterwards, the snake will consume the prey in a single bite. Digestion is very slow, sometimes taking days for food to be fully digested. Adult snakes will only eat once or twice a month, while young snakes will eat weekly. 

Reproduction

Black rat snakes will mate once a year. The mating process is similar in all species of snakes. It involves both the males and females releasing a unique smell around mating time which causes both parties to become prepared for the process. When mating occurs, males will often mate with multiple females. The female will remain pregnant for up to the three months and can give birth to as little as 3 snakes and as much as 80 snakes. 

At birth the snake is independent from the mother. In fact, in some cases, if there is a food shortage, the mother may eat its offspring. Depending on the region, as well as the amount of snakes born, many snakes will die within the first few weeks. This is due to a few reasons such as there not being enough food, to the environment not being completely suitable.