Cottonmouth

Cottonmouth

Introduction

The cottonmouth or water moccasin. is a venomous semi aquatic snake. They can be found primarily in the Southeast United States. They have triangular heads with a dark line going through the eyes. Unlike the coral snake, the color of the cottonmouth varies significantly. They be have bright beautiful colors, or they can be black or brown. These snakes are fairly large as they can grow to lengths of 24-48 inches.

Behavior and Diet

Cottonmouths, being semi aquatic stay near the water. The live in swamps, wetlands, or floodplains. They are also known to live under logs and twigs near the water. They come out during both the day and the night. These cottonmouths consume a variety of prey. The eat both aquatic and terrestrial animals. Some of their prey include fish, baby alligators, lizards, turtles, smaller snakes, and mammals. Cottonmouths are aggressive snakes as they don't back down from their predators. They swim with their whole body above the water. Although they are aggressive, they seldom bite. They only bite if they are provoked by either being picked up or stepped on. 

Venom

The cottonmouths venom is classified as hemotoxic venom. This type of venom can be extremely deadly and it can cause death. This type of venom attacks blood and tissue cells near the area where the bite was. It causes bite victims to experience blood loss in that area. Instead blood come out of other areas such as eyes, ears, and fingernails. This damage can be permanent. 

Texas Coral Snake

Micrurus Tener

Introduction

The Micrurus Tener is a venomous species of snake. It is commonly known as the Texas Coral Snake. They are found in the Southern US and Northern Mexico.  The Texas Coral Snake is one of the deadliest snakes. They are distinct and recognizable with their red, black, and yellow bands. The follow the rule of "red and yellow, deadly fellow. Red and black, friendly Jack". This means that since the red and yellow bands are touching one another, it can be recognized as venomous. They can grow up to 40 cm in length but most are around 25 cm.

Behavior and Diet

The Texas Coral snake is relatively shy compared to to other snakes. They are nocturnal (meaning they come out at night). They usually hide out in piles of leaves, underneath logs, and in underground burrows. So even though you might not know it, there could be on the these Texas Coral Snakes near your feet. These snakes primarily eat other smaller snakes and small animals that live underground. They differ from other snakes as they rarely eat rodents.

Venom

The Texas Coral Snake is most famous for its venom. The venom is a very powerful neurotoxin and it causes neuromuscular disorders. This venom can cause death through respiratory or cardiovascular failure. The snakes has two hollow fangs through which they inject the poison by biting their victim. So the snake has to bite and hold on for a couple seconds before the venom is injected. Bites from these snakes should be considered dangerous and medical attention should be found.

A note of my own:

The Texas Coral Snake was my first snake that I provided information on. My next post will have another venomous snake and information about it will be provided.