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missouri poisonous snakes
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by daisy on July 23, 2001
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We have a snake living on the boatlift of our dock who looks very much like a copperhead, but is a watersnake. Can you help? Also, what are the 5 poisonous snakes in Missouri? We live in southcentral Missouri
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RE: missouri poisonous snakes
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by Pawnee48 on July 23, 2001
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What you probably have is a non-venomous Midland or Diamondback water snake (both are genus Nerodia). However some juvenile cottonmouths have colorations and markings VERY similar to copperheads.
Typically, these bad dudes have yellowish-green tails. We have quite a variety of snakes in our area of the country and it's impossible to know for sure without a detailed description or photo.
Let us know if you ever find out for sure.
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RE: missouri poisonous snakes
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by filthy on July 24, 2001
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Hi Daisy,
I concurr on the Watersnake ID. If it is an agile swimmer and spends a lot of time in the water, It's not a Cottonmouth. A Cotton rides high in the water and holds his chin up. It will not dive, as a Watersnake will.
Ok, here's the hot ones in MO. There are actually six:
Western Cottonmouth (Akistrodon piscivorus leucostoma). It's mostly found in the southern part of the state.
Southern Copperhead (A. c. contortrix). Found in the southern part of the state.
Osage Copperhead (A. c. phaeogaster). Found in the western part of the state.
Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus, h. horridus). found throughout the state.
Western Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus tergeminus). Found in the northwestern part of the state.
Western Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius streckeri). Found in the very southern part of the state.
Hope this helps.
f
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RE: missouri poisonous snakes
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by pit_viper on July 25, 2001
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It could also be a northern water snake, these are are commonly mistaken for cottonmouths and copperheads. they're quite agressive, and their spit is an anti-coalgulent.
PV
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by filthy on July 26, 2001
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I've lost a lot of blood to these snappers! And N. fasciata as well. If I'm not mistaken, all of the Nerodia have an anti-coagulent saliva, as do the Garters. I know for sure that a big N. erythogaster can make you bleed, copiously. A couple of years ago, over on the coast, I got nipped by a 3' Brownie that I was escorting off the road. It was also messy.
Kind'a makes me wonder why I've chosen Nerodia as my favorite NV. Brain damage, maybe?
Alas, it's impossible to nail the ID down for certain without a better description. At this point, I'd just have to call it, "probably Watersnake" and advise not to pick it up.
luck,
f
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