How can you tell a black snake from a water moccasin?

The easiest way to identify the water moccasin from a non-venomous water snake is to check its head. Water snakes have long tapered heads that blend seamlessly into their bodies – and there are no heat-sensing pits below and between the eyes and the nose.

How can you tell the difference between a water moccasin and a black snake?

The most noticeable difference is the shape of the head. A water snake's head will be slender and flow smoothly into the neck, while the head of a water moccasin is far more blocky, and the neck much more narrow as it meets the head.

Are there black water moccasins?

Their coloration varies from dark brown or black to olive, banded brown or yellow. Cottonmouths are often confused with nonvenomous water snake (opens in new tab) species from the genus Nerodia. Cottonmouths and Nerodia species have similar coloring and patterns and are all usually found near water.

How can you identify a black snake?

Their smooth scales are a glossy bluish-black color, including the belly, although the chin and throat may range from light cream to orange or deep maroon (Figure 13). They are usually very docile, but when threatened may hiss loudly and shake their tail, making a rattling sound if the snake is in dry leaves or debris.

What color is a water moccasin snake?

They are large – typically 24 - 48 in (61 - 122 cm), occassionally larger, keeled-scaled, heavy-bodied snakes. Their coloration is highly variable: they can be beautifully marked with dark crossbands on a brown and yellow ground color or completely brown or black.

HOW TO ACCURATELY IDENTIFY A WATER MOCCASIN

What snake looks like cottonmouth?

Water snakes, especially the northern water snake, can look very similar to cottonmouths. They are both dark in color, with darker markings along their bodies.

What's the difference between a cottonmouth and a water moccasin?

The best way to tell the difference is to observe their bodies. Water snakes have bodies that are slender when compared to the thick body of the poisonous cottonmouth moccasin.

Is a water snake a water moccasin?

“Water moccasins tend to have blocky, heavy heads, and thick stocky bodies for their length,” he said. “They also tend to have a more distinctive neck.” In contrast, “water snakes have a narrower, rounder head, a longer, more slender body and a less distinctive neck,” said Heyborne.

Do water moccasins bite humans?

Water moccasins are deadly as their bite delivers potent venom that can kill humans. However, most bites rarely lead to death when attended to immediately. According to the University of Florida, cottonmouths accounted for only 1% of all deaths from snakebites in the United States.

What to do if a water moccasin bites you?

Your best bet is to call 911 and try to stay calm. Get away from the snake and, if you can, move your body so the bite is below your heart. Clean the wound and cover it with a clean bandage. Don't put a tourniquet on the bite or try to cut it open and remove the venom.

What color is the belly of a water moccasin?

Both can swim underwater and can bite things underwater. They both eat fish and frogs. The plain-bellied water snake can be easier to ID because, as the name suggests, its belly is a plain yellowish or cream color.

How can you tell a poisonous snake from a non venomous snake?

The biggest one is that only venomous snakes have triangular heads when most snakes have triangular heads. Another is that venomous snakes have a distinct color or pattern on their scales. Lots of harmless snakes have distinct patterns and colors, and there are even a few venomous ones that don't have any pattern.

How do you tell if a snake in the water is poisonous?

THICK, HEAVY BODIES: Venomous Water Moccasins have bodies that are VERY thick and heavy for their length, and short, thick tails. A harmless snake the same length would be much more slender and would have a much longer, thinner tail (see below).

Is a black water snake poisonous?

These snakes aren't poisonous or dangerous, but they are known for being aggressive. Even if you don't touch them, they might turn hostile when approached. Water snakes are also not constrictors. They swallow their prey alive.

How long do you have if you get bit by a water moccasin?

Patients presenting after a cottonmouth bite should undergo observation for eight hours post-envenomation. If there are no physical or hematologic signs within eight hours, then the patient can be discharged home.

Which is worse cottonmouth or copperhead?

Cottonmouth snakes are generally considered to have more potent venom. Copperheads are considered less venomous and there is some controversy as to whether or not bites from copperhead snakes need to be treated with antivenom. Copperhead and juvenile cottonmouth snakes are both brown in color.

What is the difference between a water snake and a cotton mouth?

While cottonmouths have thick, block-shaped heads, a water snake's head is flat or slender, the University of Florida reports. Cottonmouths will also have an eye stripe on their heads, while northern water snakes do not always have this stripe.

How do you tell what snake it is?

Do moth balls keep snakes away?

Mothballs are commonly thought to repel snakes, but they are not intended to be used this way and have little effect on snakes.

What kind of snake is black and shiny?

Eastern rat snakes, formerly known as black rat snakes, are large non-venomous snakes between 3.5 and 7 feet (one and two meters) long. They have shiny black scales on their back and a light colored belly, and their throat and chin are white.

Are black snakes aggressive?

Black Snake Bites

Black snakes are not venomous nor aggressive, but if threatened or cornered they may bite as a last resort. Black snakes are also excellent swimmers. The most intimidating feature of black snakes is their size as some can reach eight feet in length.

Can copperheads be black?

Copperheads are usually black, brown, tan, or grey, but their distinguishing feature is their hourglass shaped markings. The hourglass markings are often dark brown and are generally fairly uniform throughout the life of the snake.

Do water moccasins swim on top of the water?

Greene told Reuters that non-venomous water snakes “generally swim and float at the surface with only their head (maybe also neck) above the water,” with the rest of their bodies at least at a slight angle below the surface.