can you identify this snake?

[reptileexperts]

Since I teach ID classes on discerning water snakes in Nerodia and comparitively discussing the difference between those and the genus agkistridon p., here are some pointers for positive ID's on Western / Eastern Cottonmouths (I can not see the image from work, so I'll check it from home tomorrow to tell you my thoughts on its ID). . .

1) Triangular head is not a give away - most of the members of the genus nerodia have the ability to flatten their head giving it a triangular appearance in the presence of a threat. When humans encounter these species they will generally go into an immediate defense mode making confirmation by head shape moot.

2) Slit pupils - By far the easiest method for confirming a cottonmouth is the presence or absence of a slit pupil. If you can't tell from a moderately safe distance, it's a GREAT chance that you are looking at a Slit pupil, as rounded pupils tend to be quite visible.

3) Gray super cillia - Cottonmouths have a gray streak (thick line) that runs laterally down the side of their face. Sometimes this is not always visible, although most specimens I've worked with show this trait and it's ID mark is consistent. The top half of the snakes eye will sometimes have a gray hue to it as well.

4) Single row of scales post sub-caudal scale (cloaca opening) - If you find a snake that is dead, and the head is too mangled to get a proper ID from this aspect. You can also look at the scale configuration under the snake. If you look at the base of the tail and find the cloaca you should be looking at the sub-caudal scale. Follow this down toward the tip of the tail. IF the scales are divided as in two scales side by side beneath the tail, this is a nerodia (water snake), if the tail has only a single scale that goes down from the base of the sub-caudal scale, then this is a viperidae and should be confirmed as a Western / Eastern Cottonmouth (depending on region of course)

There is a lot of variation to their pattern. I've seen some adults that are knock outs with amazing coloration, I've seen some juveniles that had already darkened out to almost nothing! Therefor we sometimes need to look for other visual indicaters when discerning between species of interest. A rule of thumb with adult cottonmouths though is look for the stubby tail - If a snake is fat up to the last 1-2" of its body where the tail is and it looks like someone just squeezed all the meet out of it, this is USUALLY an indication that you have a cottonmouth. Some unhealthy, less fit, individuals, however, will lack this visual indicator and require a closer examination.

Always remember that while Cottonmouths may be "fresh killed" they still have nerve endings that can cause a post-death bite. Never handle a cottonmouth directly live OR dead. If you have a need to relocate a cottonmouth seek someone who has more experience with venomous, or let it be. Remember, there is no need to kill a snake, even if it is dangerous to you. With a little distance and a lot of respect, even the deadliest of snakes can be safe (ish!).

Cheers