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water snakes
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by snakenate on April 6, 2001
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I know I submit alot of questions to this site but I need info. Anyway I want to know if there is a difference between a water snake and a water mocassin. I have read a water snake is non-venomous unlike the mocassin.
How can I figure the difference.
Thanks Alot,
Nate
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RE: water snakes
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by PatrickV on April 6, 2001
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There is a difference. The northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon) is not venomous and is harmelss. Water moccasins (Agkistrodon Piscivorus) are venomous. Water snakes generally tend to have transverse stripes all along their dorsal region whereas moccasin's stripes continue all the way around the ventral side. the non venomous water snakes are usually not as heavy bodied and have round pupils. They alson have bellies of a uniform white or yellowish color without distinct markings and dont have the threat display including showing you a bright white mouth with fangs in it.
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RE: water snakes
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by snakenate on April 6, 2001
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Thanks for that info. but do Northern water snakes live in Mississippi? I found a snake and I want
to relocate it to a safer place but Im not sure if it is a water snake or a mocassin. And it would
help to know which it is. I can send you guys a picture if you want although Im not sure if it will
help. Also do mocassins have the V shaped pupil like a copperhead?
Thanks Again,
Nate
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RE: water snakes
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by Mojo on April 6, 2001
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All venomous snakes in the United States have eliptical pupils with the exception of the coral snake.
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water snakes vs cottonmouth/water moccasins
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by Buzztail1 on April 6, 2001
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Hey snakenate,
on the navigation bar on the left of your screen is a link called "Photo Album." If you click on that and then choose the Crotalidae folder, you will be able to find several good pictures, including close-ups, of Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti and A. p. piscivorus. One is the Florida Water Moccasin and the other is the Eastern Water Moccasin (both commonly called Cottonmouths). These are the venomous ones. The rest of the water snakes in the US are nonvenomous although they can be fiesty and give you a quick nip. Check out the pictures and let us know what you have.
Karl H. Betz
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RE: water snakes
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by filthy on April 7, 2001
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Hi snake,
To elaborate a little on Patrick's answer, you have some five species of Nerodia (watersnakes) in MS. These include the Northern (sipedon), Southern (fasciata) Red bellied (erythogaster), Diamondbacked (rhombiferia), and, rarely, the Green (cyclopion). I admit, I had to look some of this up; I'm good, but not that good.
All of these vary quite a bit in appearence and to the praticed eye, look nothing like a Cottonmouth. I think that if you'd had the snake in question for a while, you'd know for sure if it was a Cotton.
When swimming, a Cotton hates to get his chin wet, so holds his head out of the water. They also ride a bit higher - they are not really all that aquatic. Nerodia, on the other hand, is very much at home in the water. They will even dive to escape preditors.
May I suggest that you get a good Field Guide? I wouldn't be without one. I use the Audubon's, but Peterson's is considered better.
luck,
f
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RE: water snakes
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by snakenate on April 7, 2001
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Thank you for the info. now I have to go buy a field guide. The snake I found did dive down under the leaves to escape me from snatching it up. But I am always cautious and wouldnt want to catch a "hot" and not know it. But once again thanks.
Keep it real,
Nayte
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Field Guides
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by Buzztail1 on April 8, 2001
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Nayte,
both Field Guides, the Audubon and the Peterson are reviewed in the Reviews section on our site. They should be available at your nearest Waldenbooks or mall book store. If not, they can probably be found at Amazon.com. Many of my friends prefer the Audubon and I prefer the Peterson. That works out well, since yesterday a friend and I wound up in the field with both books. Good Luck, Karl
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RE: water snakes
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by snakenate on April 9, 2001
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The snake I found was balck with a yellowish under belly does that sound like a water snake. You see all the pictures I have seen of mocassins they had a coloration like that of a rattlesnake. Thanks for the information.
-Nayte
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