Cottonmouth Snakes: Facts About Water Moccasins

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Cottonmouths or water moccasins, are venomous snakes found in southeastern region of the United States

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They're called cottonmouths because the insides of their mouths are white 

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Cottonmouths are semiaquatic, so they're comfortable both swimming in water and basking on land

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They are the only venomous snake in the US that spend a lot of time in the water

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Cottonmouths are pit vipers, as are copperheads and rattlesnakes, according to experts 

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Cottonmouths are relatively large, ranging from 30 to 48 inches long, with thick, muscular bodies covered in ridged scales

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Their pupils are vertical, similar to a cat's, and they have dark stripes next to each nostril

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Their colour ranges from dark brown or black to olive, banded brown or yellow

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Juvenile cottonmouths have more distinctive bands across their bodies and are lighter brown than adults

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