Florida Cottonmouth
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| Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti Gloyd, 1969 |
The Florida Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti) is one of three subspecies of the cottonmouth, (Agkistrodon piscivorus) that is found east of the Mississippi River. The epithet conanti is in honor of American herpetologist Roger Conant.[1]
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[edit] Geographic range and habitat
The Florida Cottonmouth is commonly found in Florida, southeastern Alabama and southern Georgia. Its preferred habitats are pine flatwoods, ponds and stagnant streams, as well as brackish water habitats, such as estuaries.
Southeastern Virginia to Florida Keys, west to southern Illinois, southern Missouri, south-central Oklahoma, and central Texas
[edit] Size and appearance
A large, heavy-bodied water snake with a wide head. Olive brown to black, cottonmouths may be patternless or have dark crossbands. The large head is flattened with a pit between the eyes. The inside of the mouth is cottony white. 50.8–189.2 cm (20–74.5 in.) long
[edit] Diet and behavior
As with all snakes, the Florida Cottonmouth is a carnivore, consuming small mammals, birds, fish, as well as reptiles. The Florida Cottonmouth first incapacitates its prey with a dose of its hemotoxic venom, before ingesting it whole. Young cottonmouths are known to use their bright yellow tail as a lure to entice frogs to move within striking range.
[edit] Reproduction
The Florida Cottonmouth is ovoviviparous and while it has no specific mating season, most births occur in summer. Females generally only breed every other year and give birth to between one and 15 young per litter. Newly born snakes average 18 centimetres in length.
[edit] Current Research
Recently, Dr. Devin Iimoto and his undergraduate students, Santosh Shah, Marina Asiedu, Logan Fellhauer, and Seth Kutik from Whittier College have been carrying out research on Florida Cottonmouth venom. The purified venom is being used to remove blood stain from various fabrics.
