Venomous Florida cottonmouth, Water moccasin, pit viper species from the USA

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Florida cottonmouth (Agkistrodon conanti) is a common venomous snake species from wetlands and floodplain forests in Florida. This pit viper was previously just a subspecies of the Northern cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus). Other names of these snakes include Water moccasin or gaper. In this video you will see wild cottonmouths in their natural habitat, their defensive behavior (hence the name cottonmouth) and also cottonmouth feeding! We will show you how cottonmouths differ from water snakes and copperheads.

[@jeffmiller9798]

This was an awesome video, people often disregard the cottonmouth because it's so common, but I live in Louisiana and I NEVER get tired of seeing them when I'm out and about ...Love cottonmouths!!.

[@LivingZoology]

We really wanted to see these snakes for a long time! In August we finally made it to Florida :) They are beautiful, have interesting behavior and coloration. Thank you for watching our video!

[@RM-mm4jr]

I watch a lot of snake videos n this one is the best, by far. Thank you for NO music! Just nature sounds really made the vid. What a beautiful beautiful snake. Thank you. ❤ From Australia

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much and greetings to Australia, we just came back from your beautiful country recently! We are happy that you like our videos, we think that natural sounds are the best!

[@FischerFan]

Greetings from Canada, mate! When it comes to snake videos on KZbin, one thing that gets on my nerves are these loud, amateurish 'top ten deadly' lists. These videos typically involve loud narration and noises combined with a flurry of photos or brief videos describing lists of snakes that seem like they were drawn from a hat. The criteria of the lists is not even explained! Some of these videos are also very sloppy in that, all too often, the snake that appears on the screen is not the same one being described by the narrator. The overall presentation of some of them almost reaches the point of tabloid-style sensationalism, too. Living Zoology has got it right! As you touched on, when you watch videos like this one, all you hear is the serenity of the wild. The amount of text and explanation is clear and lasts long enough for the viewer to read. Most importantly, this type of video portrays the snakes accurately and objectively; and demonstrates their true nature. They show even the most potentially lethal snakes leading their usual peaceful, sedentary existence.

[@RM-mm4jr]

@@FischerFan Couldn't agree more. ♥️ From Australia

[@christophersmith2470]

Living Zoology's Australia's top ten most deadly snakes was one of the best wildlife video productions ever produced IMO. They had to go all over your big biodiverse country to capture an extremely accurate depiction of the serpents and they were spot on with their list. I would love to see Matej and Zuzana go back to Oz to create a masterpiece called 'Australia's most beautiful snakes' and showcase the Highland Copperhead, multiple Collette's snakes (the most beautiful snake on Earth IMO), A freshly shed Red bellied black, a central ranges Taipan, Black headed Python, and a desert Pseudonaja Nuchalis (western brown).

[@victorcarbino8736]

I've never heard of a scavenger snake. I always learn something new from Louis, and am very glad new footage is finally coming out. I look forward to more!

[@LivingZoology]

Glad that you are always learning something new from us! 😉 More to come!

[@calrob300]

As for scavenger snakes, think of how they accept frozen thawed rodents in captivity. Snakes must have the ability to say, well...if it's food...

[@victorcarbino8736]

@@calrob300 Wild-caught snakes need to be trained to accept frozen, and many just don't.

[@nepaleseman1010]

I love all snakes but vipers are my true love, especially Cottonmouths and Lance heads of Central and South America. Great video, I never tire of your films.

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much! We are happy that we delivered a nice video about one of your favorite snake species! :)

[@FinalLifeForm]

I cannot believe the clarity, incredibly high resolution, and high quality of the footage Living Zoology produces.

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you so much! We put lot of effort in making the best snake footage as possible 🙂

[@cooter1352]

Yes! Thought the same these guy's do a good job.

[@LivingZoology]

@@cooter1352 Thank you very much!

[@J.P.82]

I live in Houston and have seen cotton mouths,coral, copper heads, and rattlesnakes by buffalo bayou and always love seeing them.

[@LivingZoology]

That’s awesome!! We visited San Antonio area last year and we looked for snakes. We found cottonmouths and copperheads, but missed coral snakes and Timber rattlesnakes.

[@hylaherping9180]

For any frog enthusiasts, the species being eaten was a Southern Leopard Frog, while the species vocalizing in the background were Eastern Narrow-Mouthed Toads. Great video! My first snake of the year was a Cottonmouth, found it a few feet from a Pygmy Rattlesnake too!

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you for adding info about frogs in our video! We loved the sound of Eastern Narrow-mouthed toads 🙂 We are happy that you like our video, congrats on finding Cottonmouth close to Pygmy rattlesnake!

[@cooter1352]

Thanks that had peaked my curiosity.

[@OchoVerde]

Great video... Love that one eating the roadkill... Its a brilliant strategy... no venom or energy wasted as with a live meal. FREE LUNCH... if no cars come by.... if not then the price is incredibly high.

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much!!! It was awesome to film this behavior! This snake was lucky that we were the ones who was driving in that time 🙂

[@tommyworles5344]

You all should have your own documentary show for Animal Planet Discovery Channel or Net Geo Wild. The amount of work and knowledge you put into your videos is second to none. Even a person like me thats scared of snakes i still love to learn as much as i can as long as its in my house and not next to one. Thank you all for all the hard work that you put in.

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you so much for your kind words! We put lot of work, time and money into this, that is true. It is the best feeling to see that people love our videos, learn something new and respect snakes! :)

[@hpot65]

Most awesome close up footage of Florida Cottonmouths I’ve ever seen. Loving it! Clarity of details of the snakes is remarkable! WOW

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much! It is great to read such a positive comment!

[@renesagahon4477]

You produce some of the most vibrant stunning videos I’ve seen that does these beautiful creatures justice

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you, great that you think so!

[@AniFam]

Awesome~👍 Thank you for sharing this video~🤗

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for visiting! :)

[@Dynotop1a]

Cottonmouths are so underrated! Love them.

[@LivingZoology]

Yes, they deserve much bigger attention!

[@markrumfola9833]

Thank you Wherever you are. ☺️

[@LivingZoology]

Welcome! We back at home! :)

[@johnschlesinger2009]

Thanks for such amazing footage of these snakes.

[@LivingZoology]

Our pleasure! It is great to be back home and edit videos again :)

[@mfburns7909]

Ty! I hope all is well ♥ 🙏

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you, we are fine! We hope you too!

[@SerpentineWonders]

Super..... Work... Great ..thank ..to your group..😍😍😍😍😍 ... You are .... Give ... opportunity ..to see snakes in world. Wide😍😍😍😍😍

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much!!! :)

[@davidhowse884]

Nice footage, especially showing the green tail.

[@LivingZoology]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@matousplecity1615]

Tak se těším na nové záběry! :)

[@LivingZoology]

Snad se ti video líbilo :)

[@theitineranthistorian2024]

beautiful footage of coloration and behavior. useful comparisons, iconic indeed…

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@purkait6768]

I ❤️ video of snake and other reptiles.

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you for watching our videos! :)

[@williammeyer214]

Thanks for showing the difference in the eyes of the cottonmouth and water snake. As I paddled about the swamps I often wondered how to tell. Great video guys.

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much, great that you found interesting information in our video!

[@Butterfly-mt5ml]

I love the way they wag their little tails 😆 Such a beautiful spicy noodle! ❤ I’ve learned to recognize them by their “Hershey kisses” down their back.

[@LivingZoology]

The juveniles are super cute, yes! :) Thank you for watching!

[@richardprofit6363]

but remember that large ones sometimes don;t have that pattern, but are mostly black (at least where I live in Florida)..and if they are wagging that tail they're feeling threatened and tense..

[@Butterfly-mt5ml]

@@richardprofit6363 🎯👍🏾

[@mknewlan67]

Hersheys kisses are copperheads. At least where I lived in the Ozarks. Cottonmouths were much darker colored.

[@Butterfly-mt5ml]

@@mknewlan67 I’m not sure that I knew that. 🤔 I guess I should rephrase and say I know the snake with Hershey kisses, is a venomous one. Excuse my stupidity please but where are the Ozarks?

[@bobyoung1698]

Your work with snakes is outstanding.👍

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much!

[@benjamindurand3891]

Beautiful snake. Thanks for video

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much for watching!

[@TheRandalHandle]

All your videos are so good. Cottonmouths can be very hostile/irritable especially during mating season.

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much! 🙂

[@cameramaam]

Beautifully produced. Yep, learned a few new facts.

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you! Awesome!

[@bluedeemster3259]

Wow thats a neat color pattern on that copperhead. At first glance I thought it was a bothrops with that stripe running down the side of its head

[@LivingZoology]

Some of these snakes are amazing! Thanks for watching!

[@brackin9128]

My favorite American species and it lives right in my backyard in the woods literally. I live in Savannah, GA

[@LivingZoology]

You are lucky! We had to travel a loong way from the Czech Republic to finally see this beautiful species! 😀

[@MS-tm5bl]

Wow beautiful camera work, one of my favorite snakes. I could even see the mites on the copperhead! 😱

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much! Yes, there were many chigger mites on the Copperhead!

[@Sushi2735]

If you ever come to Coastal Georgia, you have a place to stay. You name it, we have it here!

[@LivingZoology]

Awesome, thank you so much! ❤️

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

Beautifully filmed and informative. Hefty snakes. I am Australian and we have a goodly variety of all kinds of snakes as you would know. :_)

[@LivingZoology]

Awesome, thank you! Check our videos about snakes from Australia! m.kzbin.info/aero/PLj80DUXdImxbRiQdHf6_yaIIMf-qvU01U

[@jeromebarlet8573]

Superbe vidéo ! Hello from France !

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much! Greetings from the Czech Republic!

[@nathanpgraf]

If you leave them alone, then they will leave you alone. They aren’t inherently or intentionally dangerous. When they perceive danger, all they want is to flee. I live in Florida and have seen them beside the lakes and ponds.

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you for watching!

[@natureguide68]

Super amazing video, keep up good work.🙏🙏

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you 🙌

[@najamossambica]

Very nice video, with very nice snakes. I love your Docomentations over snakes. Produce more!

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks, will do! We have lot of new content ready now!

[@easternbrown]

Really excellent video, the close ups are superb. I noticed that the vipers rotate their eyes in their heads so that whatever angle the head is to the ground the elongated pupil remains in a vertical position, I never noticed that before.

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much! It is awesome to observe how snake's eyes move when we film them. Sometimes the snake does not move at all, only the pupil moves and we know that the animal watches what we do :)

[@Southernoutlaw86]

As a hunter in Georgia the cotton mouth has become my fav snake when I was young I almost picked one up and it opened it's mouth wide I always wondered why it didn't bite me as Iv got older and wiser Iv learned there probably the most docile of poisonous snakes here and stoped killing them because Iv should of been bit numerous times

[@LivingZoology]

Nice that you don't kill them! They are amazing and a nice example that snakes try to defend themselves in any possible way before biting.

[@rojalirojali6162]

You don't have to kill them... They don't want anything to do with the humans.. they just want go about their own way

[@spartan5987]

Good morning ☀️🌞

[@LivingZoology]

Good morning!

[@brandonohara4122]

Use to catch these things when we were kids growing up here in south florida. We literally didnt know the danger 😂

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for watching!

[@ECC-ec]

Cottonmouth and copperhead are the same genus and have been cross bred in captivity, it's odd because they say none have been found in the wild, they call them cottonheads

[@nassunarhania]

It's just amazing video, thank you so much, keep up good work.

[@LivingZoology]

Many many thanks!! We are happy that you managed to watch our video :)

[@nassunarhania]

@@LivingZoology It's a pressure to watch your videos, even if we are now busy busy but we watched just in time, thank you 🙏🙏

[@LivingZoology]

@@nassunarhania We hope you meant pleasure, not pressure :D

[@nassunarhania]

@@LivingZoology Yeah, it's a pleasure, it was typing error (◠‿・)

[@pipermoonshine]

Finally my favorite viper.

[@LivingZoology]

Many viewers wanted us to film this species, so we traveled to Florida last year! 🙂

[@pipermoonshine]

@@LivingZoology I am so happy. I have been waiting for you to see our beautiful pit viper.. they are my favorite and I don't even know why but they are. Thank you for showing the wonderful cotton mouth

[@LivingZoology]

@@pipermoonshine We were so happy when we found the first one, it was our first herping night in Florida and we ended with 8 individuals! We understand that you love them, they are beautiful and their behavior is so interesting!

[@pipermoonshine]

@@LivingZoology they are. they are very interes and I love their pudgy nose.

[@ceratophrys]

I just learned that some snakes could be parthenogenetics !!! thanks !

[@LivingZoology]

Awesome!! :) Thank you for watching!

[@DemitriVladMaximov]

That has to be one of the prettiest snakes I have seen in a while. And if I didn't know better, the young ones I would have mistaken for a copperhead.

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much for watching! We hope that you learned something new :)

[@brackin9128]

They sometimes cross breed with copperheads in the wild producing cottonheads and coppermouths I believe they’re called

[@LivingZoology]

@@brackin9128 As far as we know it is known from the captivity but not from the wild.

[@luffyzoro4270]

Great video

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much!

[@brianpeck4035]

I've seen one eat a dead fish during a dry spell. I picked a baby up on a stick after it had been striking . It crawled up, licked my thumb then went to his side. I rappelled out of my 3 story up cypress tree hammock to the foot deep water below only to see one swimming underneath me. I like the Moccs.

[@LivingZoology]

It must be awesome to see these snakes moving around! They are stunning.

[@brianpeck4035]

@@LivingZoology Yeah, after getting past the fear and desire to dominate them, now when I see them cruising along, sun bathing or curled up I feel privileged and strangely welcomed in the Everglades. The Water snakes here have faces like Volkeswagon Bugs while the Cottonmouths have heads like Corvette Stingarays. Anyways...Stay Awesome!!

[@LivingZoology]

@@brianpeck4035 Enjoy those amazing sightings! We wish to live in a place like that, with many snakes! 🙂 Thanks a have a great day!

[@jamestully156]

The vertical vs round pupil thing isn't great for telling them apart since you need to get close to see the eyes and a lot of the people who struggle to tell the difference won't want to get that close. All water snaked have vertical lines along their lips which vipers don't have. Watersnake saddles look like tornadoes from the sides, while copperhead saddles from the side appear as Hershey kiss shapes, and when a cottonmouth isn't too dark it will also have a Hershey kiss pattern, except pixelated. Also of course cottonmouths have the thick bands behind their eyes like zoro masks. Those are just a few of the useful features beginners can use to tell them apart.

[@LivingZoology]

We just touched the topic in this video briefly and plan to do a more detailed video in the future 🙂

[@purkait6768]

Please upload video of Ecuadorian eyelash boa (trachyboa gularis).

[@LivingZoology]

Well, if we ever will have another trip to South America and we find it, we can make a video 😀

[@desertsecrets]

beautiful video bro ..desert animals lovers are welcome :)

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very much!

[@nancysrios]

It lurks.

[@uygunekinci8470]

super

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you!

[@petrnovak3445]

Zdravím bavlněná tlama A. piscivorus je impozantní had i v lidské péči krom krmení bez agrese díky s pozdravem Petr.

[@LivingZoology]

To věříme! 🙂 Zdravíme!

[@Alterofmadness]

Beautiful snake! I really like their patterns...must be a great camouflage in their swampy habitat. Do they always swim with their head sticking out of the water?

[@LivingZoology]

Yes, they are beautiful and look great in their habitat! They can swim under the surface too of course 🙂

[@virgildailey1970]

When a cottonmouth is swimming on the surface of water you can see almost all of its entire body. They usually elevate their heads above the waters surface. A common water snake swims with most of its body submerged, just the head and small portion of the neck above the surface. Both the cottonmouth and the common water snake can swim entirely submerged. Contrary to popular belief, cottonmouths can bite you under water.

[@Alterofmadness]

@@virgildailey1970 Very interesting! Thank's for your reply :)

[@naychaboi]

Awesome species, does this mean more vids from the US trip are coming soon?? 😊

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you Hasani! Yes, more videos from the USA and also Australia will come soon! :)

[@naychaboi]

@@LivingZoology can’t wait!

[@Sushi2735]

No one should ever disregard this snake, ever! However we have way more Copperheads where I live. I have seen many Copperheads, by only one Cotton Mouth sleeping on a branch by the river. These vipers all look mad at the world. 😅

[@LivingZoology]

We were so excited to see our first Cottonmouths in Florida in August 2022! We found 8 during our first night! 😀

[@Sushi2735]

@@LivingZoology that is amazing!

[@occif2023]

Copperheads and cottonmouths can breed and produce offspring.

[@LivingZoology]

As far as we know it was only recorded in captivity.

[@nickydaviesnsdpharms3084]

wasn't that a green mamba?

[@LivingZoology]

No, it was the Rough green snake.

[@JK-br1mu]

When you see a cottonmouth, in its home habitat of marshy ground and standing water from whence you can't escape rapidly on foot.........tease its tail.

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for watching!

[@tm13tube]

Cottonmouths are at least as north as Virginia. I am a learner not an expert so don’t rely on what I say to keep you safe. The horizontal line down the side of the head is a Cottonmouth identifier. Vertical narrow stripes indicate Water Snake. But this has Hershey Kiss markers indicating Copperhead. But I saw one video saying a Copperhead and Cottonmouth share the same ancestor because Cottonmouth can look like it has the same patterning. I grew up on a farm with both snakes in the county. I was taught Cottonmouths are dull black. Copperheads are copper colored. Neither of these fit the snake in this video. I say all this to point out don’t watch one video and think you can identify these two venomous snakes. It isn’t so easy to tell the difference between a Water Snake and a Cottonmouth unless its mouth is open. This is a warning to watch a lot of videos to learn the details. Don’t watch a quick video and think you’ve got it. Copperheads can be more brown and Cottonmouths can be more patterned, like this one. Don’t trust what you were taught. I was taught “facts” that weren’t true.

[@LivingZoology]

We agree with your comment. It takes time to learn how to determine different species of organisms. There is often high variability in colors, patterns, even sizes. Thank you for watching our video.

[@richardlahan7068]

Two species of water moccasin inhabit the eastern third of the US.

[@LivingZoology]

Yes, both mentioned in the video.

[@navalhistoryhub3748]

Is the lack of recorded large individuals down to environmental factors or the competition for food from non invasive species?

[@LivingZoology]

In general many snakes die when they are young as they are predated or killed by people. It is difficult for them to reach large sizes.

[@davidh5276]

🤯l never seen a snake eat a carcass ‼️

[@LivingZoology]

It is not very common, but Cottonmouths do it!

[@purkait6768]

Sir, rhinoceros viper (bitis narsicornis)has hood like cobra, puff adder ?

[@LivingZoology]

No, it does not have a hood. Check our video about Rhinoceros viper: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpDImmtvecufqdE

[@purkait6768]

Sir ,some vipers can cobra like hood flare ?

[@LivingZoology]

No, vipers don’t have a hood. They can puff their whole body to look bigger.

[@Blue_Lugia]

Do we hear cicadas in this video?

[@LivingZoology]

Yes, there were quite loud cicadas and during the night crickets and frogs 🙂

[@ilovebluegrass5493]

Is that a car horn I’m hearing

[@LivingZoology]

Not that we are aware of…

[@richardhincemon9423]

🐸 those are frogs that you were hearing.

[@michaelhatcher4097]

A six foot long cottonmouth woul be something to see. All of the ones i see are around two to three feet.

[@LivingZoology]

Yes, that would be an awesome animal to see! The biggest one you saw in this video was about 4.2 feet.

[@virgildailey1970]

Florida has some 6 footers!

[@LivingZoology]

@@virgildailey1970 It would be awesome to see!

[@richardhincemon]

@Living Zoology Largest Akistrodon piscivorus 74in.11lb.1990 captured in the Great dismal swamp North Carolina and Virginia border.

[@virgildailey1970]

@@richardhincemon : I saw one in Florida at the Brandy Branch power plant, Bradenton, Florida that would give it a run for its money. Drive into the plant is about a mile long with drainage ponds on both sides of the road. As I left work one evening I saw a large dark object lying next to the road on my left. It was so big I could see it from about 50 yards away. I thought it must be an otter. Drove up to it, it was a water moccasin coiled up and the coil was about the size of a wash tub. It’s body was much thicker than my bicep. I’m sitting there watching it amazed at the site of the snake. A plant worker on his way into work sees me stopped and stopped beside me. Asks me why I’m just sitting there. I told him to look in the grass to his right. Guy looks over at the snake, then looks at me and says, he’s so big I don’t think I want to mess with him. I said me neither. We both went on our way. Now I didn’t get out and measure the snake. I’m not stupid. But it had to be at least 6 feet long or bigger. It had two loops in its coil, like I said, as big around as a wash tub. Now I am no herpetologist but I do know snakes. It’s a hobby. I study them. I caught all kinds as a kid. Water moccasins, copperheads, rattlesnakes, you name it. I had one guy tell me that it wasn’t a water moccasin, it was an indigo. Water moccasins don’t get that big. I believed that too until I saw it with my own two eyes. I know the difference between an indigo and a water moccasin!

[@василийкшевецкий]

титры рускоязычные плис.

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you for watching.

[@ArshadKhan-iu2pl]

Eyeleshviper jumpingviper launceheadviper bushmaster in coast Rica Central America is found how many types of snake is in Costa Rica my dear friend from india speaking

[@LivingZoology]

We have nice videos about these snakes! m.kzbin.info/aero/PLj80DUXdImxb4C_c0PMyA7P0ZHvZu_5B3 In general, there are about 150 snake species in Costa Rica.

[@ArshadKhan-iu2pl]

@@LivingZoology ok

[@RenegadeRanga]

I remember seeing chandler open a box and it was that angry it jumped out of the box to end him. Those fangs look nasty.

[@LivingZoology]

Thanks for watching!

[@libertarianassfuck7635]

Best. Snake. Channel. Everr. 😁😁😁

[@LivingZoology]

Thank you very very much! 🙏❤️

[@libertarianassfuck7635]

@@LivingZoology You've got it, lads. 😎