A Very Curious Cottonmouth

UPDATE: How to Identify a Cottonmouth
I have received many comments on this video stating that this is a harmless water snake and not a cottonmouth so I thought that I would help everyone with their identification of these snakes.

This is 100% a cottonmouth (water moccasin, Agistrodon piscivorus). There are multiple cues we can use to determine this. First, the thing that everyone notices from this video is that this snake is floating. All large bodied pit vipers (including cottonmouths) tend to swim with most of their bodies above the surface of the water while water snakes tend to swim with most of their body under the surface with just their head above water. However, this is not always reliable as any snake can do both if they want to so we need to use other clues to confirm that this is a cottonmouth. A common characteristic of cottonmouths is that they tend to hold their head up off of the water's surface as this snake does. Next, we can look at the physical characteristics of this snake. Cottonmouths have very thick bodies that taper towards the head with the head being noticeably wider than the neck. Their heads are triangular in shape and have very angular, squared edges. Cottonmouths also have a dark facial stripe that runs through the eye. Cottonmouths tend to be very dark black as adults but many still have a discernible pattern of dark bands or fuzzy hourglass shapes. The snake in this video is a particularly pretty adult cottonmouth in that much of its pattern is still visible. Being pit vipers, cottonmouths have the characteristic facial pits used for detecting infrared light.

I would also like to point out that I was in the boat and have a considerably better vantage point so some of these features may not be visible in this video.

Here are some links to help with snake identification:

A cottonmouth (Agistrodon piscivorus) who took an interest in me as I floated down the creek. A testament to the fact that cottonmouths get a bad rap. This guy is not "chasing" me as many people suggest they do. He is just curious and then goes on his way.

[noahrush]

I was fishing on the bank of a lake one day. I saw something break the surface of the water, and thought it was just a fish. It kept swimming towards me, however, so I looked more closely and it was a Cottonmouth. He saw me when I saw him, and after looking at each other for a couple seconds he submerged and I packed up and went to a different area. It was a mutual 'oh shit, ' moment.

[charlieapples]

“Hey, dude! You floating on top of the water? Cool, me too!”

[Skillseboy]

The buoyancy of that snake is impressive

[nathanh]

I always found it fascinating how they can swim on top of the water without leaving any ripples.

[vincentrosethorn]

Using the oar as a distraction and guiding him away from the vessel itself, ensuring no harm to either the human or animal. Well played, sir.

[sparkyshark]

"We've been trying to reach you about your cars extended warranty"

[firemedic]

I've seen Cottonmouths do this several times. The only time I ever saw one get really violent, is when I snagged him with a fishing lure as a child. Got him up out of the water, and he decided to start down the fishing rod. I decided I needed a new rod and reel.

[jrcrawford]

My dad and I had one about this size fall in the boat once, in a spot very much like this. I was in the bow fishing forward and Dad was in the stern fishing back there and I suddenly realized I'd heard a soft thump between us. I kinda knew what had happened even before I saw it. I said "we got a snake in the boat" and started to pick up the shotgun and Dad said he didn't think we ought to blow a hole through the bottom and he picked up a paddle and flipped it back into the water. And I'm trying to breath again and he goes, "Lunch?" 🤣

[andymcfadden]

I'll take a curious cottonmouth over a furious cottonmouth any day lol

[buildaggedonarmanaziie]

Dang, it really looks like its slithering ON the water instead of IN the water.

[cortanaai]

I bet that Cottonmouth is saying " You don't have an EZPass, Come back here and pay your toll "

[Lawrence_Talbot]

Glad you were equally curious instead of freaking out and trying to smack it with your paddle. General rule of thumb: if you leave them alone, they’ll leave you alone.

[Wardell]

While he had you distracted, 3 of his brothers dropped out of tree into the back of your

[jarrodsteers]

*Cottonmouth:*
"That is a very weird looking log moving through the water."

[thomasbroking]

Curious ones make me kinda nervous. ..

[jamesrhodes]

Love this video. I have a healthy respect for these snakes. Very curious and intelligent. A lot of people probably mistake their curiosity for aggression. Their fluid movement is mesmerizing.

[manifestgtr]

This happens to me in my canoe sometimes. Sometimes they’ll actually swim up to you really quickly. I think, in their minds, you’re an enormous moving island or a piece of floating debris that would make for a good perch/ride. That’s the closest I’ve come to an explanation for why water snakes seem to love canoes/kayaks so much.

[_mortiam]

Wow. I knew some snakes can swim, but didn't know they can actually float! Interesting.

[mjremy]

Just sublime to watch this beautiful animal, free and happy, and gliding through water. Such majesty. The visuals were stunning. Good work!

[bobjordan]

You handled that quite calmly, I would have been paddling my ass off!