This is the first part of a two-part column regarding snakes in Mississippi.
The arrival of spring and summer is accompanied by more outdoor activities, especially water activities. Along with this increase in outdoor activity comes an increase in encounters with reptiles. And when it comes to my favorite reptile — ole no-shoulders — everyone has their own story.
However, my columns are not about how close I was to being bitten (because I was trying to catch a cottonmouth) or about my Grandfather (Arnold) Herring, when he was bitten by a chicken snake as he was gathering eggs one morning.
The two most common types of snakes we see around water in Mississippi are the diamondback water snake (non-poisonous) and the cottonmouth (poisonous). In fact, both of these snakes are sometimes called “water moccasins.” Many times these two snakes are mistaken for each other. Below, we’ll discuss these snakes.
The diamondback water snake derives its name from the square to diamond-shaped dark bordered areas on its back. The border’s dark lines are connected and constitute a chain-like configuration. For a non-poisonous snake, the diamondback water snake is very heavy bodied and can reach lengths of up to 63 inches. Males are slightly shorter than females.
Diamondback water snakes can be found in almost any type of wet area from slow flowing streams, rivers, and bayous to non-flowing bodies of water such as cypress swamps, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs. In the southern portion of Mississippi, diamondbacks can be found any time of the year, but in the northern parts of our state, it must hibernate. The diamondback water snake primarily feeds at night, but occasionally during the day. In summer, activity during the day is primarily limited to basking in the sun.
Cottonmouths live in almost any type of wetland from brackish marshes of the Gulf Coastal Plain to streams, ponds, lakes, rivers, and cypress swamps and bayous of the rest of the Magnolia State. Occasionally, these snakes are found on land away from any permanent water source.
During spring and fall, cottonmouths are very active during daylight hours, predominantly during early morning and late afternoon. During summer, when temperatures become extremely hot, they become nocturnal and move frequently under the cover of darkness, during cooler temperatures.
Adult diamondback water snakes are preyed upon by cottonmouths, alligators, gars, and otters. Humans kill the largest amount since this species of snake is mistaken for the cottonmouth.
When disturbed, diamondbacks quickly go to water. When handled, they can viciously bite and spray musk.
James L. Cummins is executive director of Wildlife Mississippi, a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi. Their website is www.wildlifemiss.org.
