Green Cay Watersnakes

Brown Watersnake Nerodia taxispilota	Southern Banded Watersnake Nerodia fasciata	Cottonmouth/Water Moccasin Agkistrodon piscivorus

Watersnakes may be difficult to find in our wetlands, but they no doubt swim and slither in our waters. They have become masters of disguise hiding deep in the marshes. Green Cay houses many snakes that can be found across the Southeast United States, yet there are 3 snakes that particularly enjoy our wetland environment. These snakes are the Brown Watersnake, Southern Banded Watersnake and the Cottonmouth also called the Water Moccasin.

These snakes have developed certain characteristics to survive in their wet environments. They share a common range of black and brown patterns to blend in with their surroundings. The Brown Watersnake is mostly dark brown with darker brown or black squares alternating on its back and smaller blotches on its sides. It has a yellow to cream colored belly with irregular spaced dark spots.  Unlike most snakes, their eyes sit more on top of the head then on the sides. The Southern Banded Watersnake has dark cross bands on top of its light brown body. It has a yellow belly with small red marks on each scale. Also, it has a distinct dark brown or black stripe right behind the eye that stretches back to its necks. The Cottonmouth is black to olive-brown; sometimes it could have dark bands around its body. You can see a distinct line that runs from the eye down to the lower jaw of the snake. Also, the Cottonmouth has two vertical bars on its nose. The name “Cottonmouth” comes from the white lining of their mouth which is different from most other snakes. Each of these snakes grows to be about 3 to 4 feet long. Yet, they can grow to be up to 6 feet long. They are heavy-bodied, meaning they usually have a larger girth in comparison to other snakes.

           You will find that most watersnakes are not venomous and will not strike unless provoked. The Cottonmouth however, is one of the few watersnakes that is venomous. Though it will not strike unless harassed, if you step into a known Cottonmouth habitat take precaution. These snakes often do not move if they believe they have not been seen; bites have commonly occurred due to stepping on them. The venom from these snakes destroys blood cells and has anticoagulant properties, deaths have occurred due to their bites. Yet, nearly all victims who have received the proper medical treatment have survived. Lucky for us, visitors at Green Cay do not get close enough to their habitat to be in any danger.

           These snakes eat a variety of food that can be found in the wetlands. The Brown Watersnake almost exclusively eats fish, especially catfish. Even though these snakes occasionally swim to find their prey in holes or crevices underwater, they usually use a more unique way of gather its food. These snakes typically wrap their tail on a branch above the water, hang down and strike when a fish comes in range. The Southern Banded Watersnake eats both fish and amphibians, swallowing them whole while they are still alive. The Cottonmouth eats a wide assortment of prey; small mammals, birds, fish, frogs, salamanders, turtles and even other watersnakes. They use an opportunistic method of catching its prey by ambushing or foraging when a source of food presents itself. When they have caught their prey, they will bite down and release their venom till it is subdued. Watersnakes also have to deal with predators of their own, including great blue herons, larger snakes, hawks and alligators. The Cottonmouths are the least preyed upon due to the venomous hazard.  Each of these snakes use defensive tactics to protect themselves; flattening their head and body to look larger, vibrating their tail mimicking a rattle snake and even releasing a strong-smelling musk. If all else fails, they would resort to striking or squirming around.

           These snakes are commonly active all year round in the warm months of south Florida. They will hibernate however if it becomes too cold. Each of these snake species mate in the spring and girth live birth in the late summer or fall. Males will find their mates by following their sent trails. The female Brown Watersnakes and the Southern Banded Watersnakes can mate with 1 to 3 different males to reproduce. They give birth on land to litters ranging, on average, between 20 to 30 snakes. The Cottonmouths reproduce a little differently. These snakes fight with competing males in a “combat dance” to win the privilege of mating with available females. They will give birth to litters on average of only 7 snakes.

           These snakes are not endangered, yet the Brown Watersnakes and the Southern Banded Watersnakes are often confused with the Cottonmouth and many people kill them on sight in fear that they will strike. It is important to understand these snakes, how they act and where they can be found, so we can take the proper precautions to stay a safe distance away from them. No snake will strike unless it is provoked; there is no need to be afraid of these snakes, but it is important to learn about them.