Florida Cottonmouth vs Banded Water Snake
One of the most difficult two snakes to tell apart, are the Venomous Florida Cottonmouth (or Water Moccasin) vs the Non-Venomous Banded Water Snake.
Body Types
The Venomous Florida Cottonmouth (or Water Moccasin) has a body that is VERY thick and heavy for its length. They also have short thick tails.
The Banded Water snake has a long slim body. It is more slender in proportion to its length. They also have longer gradually decreasing tails that taper off to a point.
Call Nuisance Wildlife Removal, Inc. today, to humanely solve your snake problems, and snake proof your property. 1-866-263-WILD or 941-729-2103.
Head types
The head of the Banded Watersnake is slim and connects seamlessly to the body, giving the appearance of no neck at all. The head is truly more slender and elongated. When the snake feels threatened, it flattens its head and body to appear more menacing. However, even then the head is still thin and not as blocky or thick as the Cottonmouth.
A large blocky head is that of the Venomous Cottonmouth- it is also thick top to bottom. Their necks are distinctly narrower from their head.
Behaviours
The Banded is one of the most common snakes in Florida. You will find it in ponds. lakes, ditches, and rivers. Plus. it is often seen sunning itself on river and lake edges or in overhanging bushes. You would know for sure that the snake IS a venomous Cottonmouth if 1) when provoked it opens its mouth wide and shows the interior mouth and throat which are white. Also 2) when provoked, the Cottonmouth will twitch the tip of their tail. Banded water snakes do neither.
Watch the below video to see a Cottonmouth biting down on a Banded Water Snake– notice the difference in the head and neck areas as well as the length and width of the snakes bodies and tales.