There are no confirmed records of the cottonmouth or any venomous water snakes occurring within West Virginia. and is found most frequently in moist woodlands where it feeds on small invertebrates such as slugs, snails, insects and earthworms.
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Do water moccasins live in West Virginia?
Here in West Virginia we have 22 species of snakes with only two of them poisonous. Copperheads and rattlesnakes are the only venomous snakes found in West Virginia. So if someone told you they saw a cottonmouth, water moccasin or cobra, in the wild here, they are full of it.
Are there water snakes in West Virginia?
All but one species, the Salt Marsh Snake (Nerodia clarkii) inhabit fresh water areas from small ponds to large rivers. West Virginia has the Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon), probably the species with the widest range.Knowing that it’s the only species in the state is the best clue.
Are water moccasins in Virginia poisonous?
Most of the snake species in Virginia are harmless, but three of the 30 species are venomous: Northern Copperheads, Timber Rattlesnakes, and Cottonmouths.
What is the most poisonous snake in West Virginia?
northern copperhead
West Virginia’s northern copperhead is the most common venomous snake in the state. You can identify them by their distinct, bent hourglass shape over their back. Timber rattlesnakes, which is the official state reptile, are less common and found in mountainous areas with talus slopes.
Can a water moccasin bite you underwater?
Besides sea-snakes, there are two common snakes that can live in or near water – the cottonmouth (water moccasin) and the water snake. Not only can snakes bite underwater, but water moccasins join a list of more than 20 species of venomous snakes in the United States making them even more of a threat.
Why do water moccasins chase you?
Despite these examples of relatively benign defensive behaviors, cottonmouths maintain a reputation of being ‘aggressive’ or ‘mean’. Many people will tell you of cottonmouths ‘chasing’ people that get to close, implying that the goal of this behavior is ultimately to bite people.
Do water moccasins come on land?
Cottonmouths are semiaquatic, so they’re comfortable both swimming in water (hence their other common name of water moccasin) and basking on land. They are the only venomous snake in the U.S. that spends a lot of time in the water, Live Science previously reported.
Do water snakes look like Copperheads?
At first glance, common watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon) look like they have a similar pattern to copperheads, but look closer. The Hershey Kisses are upside down. These shapes look more like saddles. As you might expect from their name, watersnakes spend a lot of their time in the water; copperheads rarely do.
How do you identify a water moccasin?
The quick and easy way to identify a water moccasin is to look for its wedge-shaped, blocky head (from above, as in a boat, you can’t see its eyes), check for the heat-sensing slits beneath and between its eyes and nose, and note its olive, dark tan, dark brown or an almost black body, thick and python-like in its
Where are water moccasins found in Virginia?
The northern cottonmouth, or “water moccasin:” A thick-bodied, venomous bruiser, the cottonmouth hangs out in the swamps and streams of far southern and southeastern Virginia. An isolated population lives near the confluence of the James and Appomattox rivers in the Hopewell area.
Where are water moccasins in Virginia?
The distribution of cottonmouths in Virginia is primarily limited to the southeastern part of the state, particularly the southern regions of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake with isolated populations in Brunswick, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Prince George, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, and York counties, and the
What is the difference between a water snake and a water moccasin?
Water Snakes, like this Northern Water Snake, have bands that are widest on top, whereas Water Moccasins have bands that are widest on the sides. A Northern Water Snake in a threat posture, with the head flared. A juvenile Water Moccasin swimming.
What are the 2 poisonous snakes found in WV?
timber rattlesnake
The timber rattlesnake and copperhead snake are the only two poisonous snakes in West Virginia. They belong to the group of snakes known as pit vipers, which also includes cottonmouths. A pit viper has pits or openings on its head – one on each side, between and slightly below the eye and nostril.
Do Copperheads go in water?
Copperheads will very rarely go in the water but they are typically found elsewhere. When water snakes are threatened while swimming, they will almost always try to get away by diving underneath the water.
How common are snakes in West Virginia?
Some of West Virginia’s snakes are very common, such as the Eastern Gartersnake and Black Ratsnake, and can be found all over (even in backyards). Others, such as the Cornsnake and Northern Pinesnake, have only been documented a few times over the years. Always be on the lookout in case one shows up in your area.
Do snakes come up toilets?
Yes, but it’s not common. Sometimes snakes will swim up through the pipes or enter a bathroom through an open window or door and coil up in a toilet bowl in search of a place to cool down during the hot, dry summers. However, this doesn’t really happen in urban areas.
What is the difference between a water moccasin and a cottonmouth?
Water moccasins have vertical, “cat-eye” pupils, and dark stripes extend out near each nostril. The snout is pale in comparison with the rest of the head. Cottonmouth snakes have triangular heads, thin necks, and “cat-eye” pupils.
Which bite is worse copperhead or cottonmouth?
The cottonmouth (also known as the water moccasin) bite is much more dangerous and harmful to humans than the bite of the closely related copperhead, but rarely leads to death. The cottonmouth is more aggressive, but as with the copperhead, biting isn’t common unless the snake is actually touched.
How long do you have after a cottonmouth bite?
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.
What do you do if you get bit by a water moccasin?
These dangerous snakes include the copperhead, rattlesnake, cottonmouth (water moccasin) and coral snake. If you are bitten by a venomous snake, call 911 immediately. It is important to get antivenom drugs into your system as quickly as possible.
