These venomous snakes, also commonly known as “water moccasin,” cottonmouth snakes occur in the western third of Tennessee, including counties on the northern Highland Rim.
Are there water moccasins in the Tennessee River?
East Tennessee has two of those species native to the area: The copperhead and the timber rattlesnake. Quite a few would also say they’ve spotted the cottonmouth (also known as the water moccasin) swimming in the rivers and lakes of East Tennessee, however, cottonmouths are only found on the western end of the state.
What does a water moccasin look like in Tennessee?
The Cottonmouth, or Water Moccasin, is undoubtedly the most infamous water snake. These vipers live mainly in the western third of Tennessee, preferring swamps and wetlands to rivers and lakes. They have thick, heavy bodies with dark brown coloration.
What states do water moccasins live in?
Cottonmouths are native to the U.S. and range from southeastern Virginia to Florida, west to central Texas and north to southern Illinois and Indiana, according to the IUCN (opens in new tab). They primarily live in aquatic and wetland habitats, including swamps, marshes, drainage ditches, ponds, lakes and streams.
Are water snakes poisonous in Tennessee?
Cottonmouths are the ONLY venomous water snake in Tennessee.
They are only found in the western part of Tennessee.
Are there venomous snakes in Nashville?
Venomous snakes in Nashville
He did see a hawk eat a few of them. McLean could tell that the snakes near his home weren’t venomous. There are only four venomous species indigenous to Tennessee: the Copperhead, the Cottonmouth, and the Timber and pygmy rattlesnakes.
How long do you have after a water moccasin bite?
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.
Are water moccasins aggressive?
Water moccasins are not aggressive, even though most people say so. The best way to avoid them is to try your best to keep out of their way. Once you accidentally step on them, they may lash out and bite as a self-defense instinct.
Are snakes a problem in Tennessee?
There are more than 30 types of snakes in Tennessee, and a majority of them are not harmful to people and are beneficial to the environment. Only 4 snakes in Tennessee are venomous, but it narrows down further in our local area.
How many water moccasin bites a year?
How Many People Are Bitten by Cottonmouths (Water Moccasins) Every Year? Juvenile Cottonmouth Snake swimming in a pond. They have even stronger contrasting bands of colors. 7,000 to 8,000 people suffer a venomous snakebite per year, but only a few die.
How do you keep water moccasins away?
How to Keep Water Moccasins Away
- Mow your lawn.
- Start by lightly sprinkling the snake repellent granules over the surface area of your yard, taking care to avoid garden areas.
- Create a perimeter around your yard by spreading an additional helping of snake repellent around the boundaries of your property.
What state has the most cottonmouth snakes?
Most cottonmouths live in the southeastern states, but their range extends to Texas, southern Illinois, and even parts of Indiana. They primarily live in slow-moving streams, wetlands, swamps, marshes, and ponds.
Can water moccasins bite underwater?
Besides sea-snakes, there are two common snakes that can live in or near water – the cottonmouth (water moccasin) and the water snake. Not only can snakes bite underwater, but water moccasins join a list of more than 20 species of venomous snakes in the United States making them even more of a threat.
Do water moccasins hiss?
Behavior. Heyborne noted that water snakes are known to be aggressive. “When handled, they tend to hiss or bite as a defense,” he said. For this reason, they do not make good pets.
How common are snake bites in Tennessee?
“While snakes are not generally dangerous to humans, they will strike when threatened,” said Benitez. “In Tennessee, we see around 50 bites per year.
Is a cottonmouth and water moccasin the same?
Description: Cottonmouths are venomous semi-aquatic snakes often referred to as “water moccasins.” They have large, triangular heads with a dark line through the eye, elliptical pupils, and large jowls due to the venom glands.
How do you keep snakes away from Tennessee?
To avoid snake bites, keep your hands and feet out of areas you cannot see. Watch where you step, and do not pick up rocks or limbs without first looking for snakes. When you encounter a snake, stay at least one body length away from the creature until you can determine if it is poisonous.
Where are copperheads in Tennessee?
Copperheads are pit viper species found in all parts of the state of Tennessee. The best places to see copperheads in Tennessee are rocky, forested hillsides of the western Highland Rim or mountains in eastern Tennessee. Copperheads are also one of the most common venomous snakes in Middle Tennessee.
Are there water moccasins in Lake Cumberland?
The least common, with more rare sightings, venomous snake in the Cumberland River basin is the cottonmouth/water moccasin.
Which is worse cottonmouth or copperhead?
Cottonmouth snakes are generally considered to have more potent venom. Copperheads are considered less venomous and there is some controversy as to whether or not bites from copperhead snakes need to be treated with antivenom. Copperhead and juvenile cottonmouth snakes are both brown in color.
Which is worse cottonmouth or rattlesnake?
A bite from either a cottonmouth or a timber rattlesnake is enough to warrant a trip to the hospital. But, out of the two, the timber rattlesnake’s bite is much more serious. While both species use hemotoxic venom, the timber rattlesnake’s venom is more likely to cause serious complications, or even death, in humans.