| Description:
The Western Cottonmouth ranges in size from 2.5-4.5 feet.
Coloration is black with some faint cross markings on the back.
Belly is dark brown to black. Scales are weakly keeled and anal
plate is divided. Pupils of the eyes are vertical. A
heat-sensing pit is located between the eye and nostril. Juveniles
are strongly patterned with a yellow tail.
Habitat: Found in wetland
areas such as swamps and sloughs.
Behavior: The Western
Cottonmouth is venomous. Cottonmouths have the habitat of
opening the mouth and displaying the strikingly white inner lining of
the mouth when disturbed. |
