Is a Michigan water moccasin poisonous?
Topic Overview. The cottonmouth, also called a water moccasin, is a poisonous (venomous) snake found in southeastern and south central North America. They leave one, two, or three puncture marks on the skin, but you won’t always see any marks.
How can you tell if a water moccasin is poisonous?
THICK, HEAVY BODIES: Venomous Water Moccasins have bodies that are VERY thick and heavy for their length, and short, thick tails. A harmless snake the same length would be much more slender and would have a much longer, thinner tail (see below).
Are Missouri water moccasins poisonous?
Cottonmouths are the ONLY venomous water snake in Missouri. Be on the lookout for these water snakes near swamps, marshes, ponds, and slow-moving streams and rivers, as well as flooded fields and drainage ditches. But they aren’t limited to just aquatic habitats.
How poisonous is a cottonmouth water moccasin?
Venom / Bite The cottonmouth has a powerful cytotoxic venom that destroys tissue and is considered more toxic than that of the Copperhead. The bite symptoms commonly include severe pain, swelling, ecchymosis, and even though deaths are rare, the cottonmouth bite could leave scars and on occasion lead to amputation.
How long do you have after getting bit by a water moccasin?
eight hours
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.
How can you tell a cottonmouth from a watersnake?
Cottonmouths also usually have a neck that is narrower than their heads, while water snakes have necks that are not distinct from their bodies. Head shape can also be a telling clue. While cottonmouths have thick, block-shaped heads, a water snake’s head is flat or slender, the University of Florida reports.
What to do if a cottonmouth bites you?
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.
How many people have died from water moccasins?
The University of Florida stated that 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S. each year, but only about five to six people die from their bites. Cottonmouths have accounted for less than 1% of all snakebite deaths in the U.S., according to TPWD.
How to identify a water moccasin?
When encountering a water moccasin, you should easily see the neck size that is much smaller than the head and this will be a clear indication that the snake is a water moccasin and not a harmless water snake. 3. Eyes
Where do water moccasins live in Texas?
The Water Moccasin can be found in states such as Florida, Southern Virginia and in Eastern parts of Texas. The Water Moccasin is a semi-aquatic snake and can be found in fields, forests, marshes, swamps, drainage ditches, lakes ponds and rivers. They often burrow in sandy banks and in rotting logs near the edge of the water.
What are the Predators of the water moccasin?
The Water Moccasin does not have very many predators; in fact most predators leave this snake alone because its venom is so poisonous. The predators of the Water Moccasin snake are king snakes, herons, largemouth bass and humans although humans are very wary around this snake.
How dangerous are water moccasins?
As a pit viper, the water moccasin has hemotoxic venom that is quite similar to that of the rattlesnake. This will directly attach the red blood cells and cause havoc inside the body, with many people actually dying from these bites. Once the poison is in the system, it can actually keep the blood from clotting and hemorrhages if not treated.