Some people ask this question when they sec a snake in the water. Unfot1unately, many people assume all snakes in the water arc Water Moccasins and kill them "just in case." Along with shark:; and bats, snakes arc among the most misunderstood and mistreated aninmls on e"Jrth. Yes, some species of snakes, including the Watcr Moccasin (Agkis/rodoll piscivorous), also known as ~le CottonmoUlh, are \'enOmOU5 and thercfore a potcntial dangcr, I-Iowever, of thc 41 snake specics native 10 Georgia and South Carolina, only sLx are \'enomous-all others are complctcly harmless. Among Ihe 35 harmless non-venomous snakes, fi\'c species of Water Snakes (Nerodia spp.) are often unfortunate victims of mistaken identil}~ought to be Waler Moccasins. This brochure was developed 10 highlight the differences bel\veen Water Snakes and Water Moccasins with the hope thai familiaritywilh these snakes will prevenl further NOI/vent)//WUS Ira/er S//akes, such as this /Jrou'l/ Irafer Snake, may be mistaken for venOl/WIIS Irater ,l/occmi/lS. unnecessary killing of non-venomous snakes (which is illegal in Georgia) commonly found in aquatic habitats in Georgia :md South Carolina. Adlill Retl-8dlietllf(lll!r Snake. However, this information is not provided to point out which spccies to kill and which species not to kill. The Water Moccasin's rumored reputation as a vicious snake far exceeds its lrue charactcr. This is 1I0t an aggrcssive snake that :lnacks without provocation, and rarely does it strike even when harassed. Vcnom is a precious commodity lhat Water Moccasins usc for subdUing prey, and wasting vcnom on anything that is nOI "food" may prevent a snake from catching its ne\1 meal. Further, the gaped display of the 'cottony" inner-mouth of a Water Moccasin is not an act of aggression, but rather a warning of its toxicity----no different than the rattling behavior of Rattlesnakes or the bright waming colors of the Coral Snake. Venomous snakes pose very little three Lal:e.. state. However, since distributions arc not static and snakes may be moved around intentionally or accidentally, physical features and behaviors of qucstionable snakes should also be examined. Although it is difficult to summarize the habitat preferences of these 1\....0 snakes, in general Watcr Moccasins do not prefer large, open reservoirs, whereas somc Watcr Snakcs do. Water Moccasins tend to inhabit slow-moving streams, swamps, and backwaters. Basking behavior... Stories ofWmer ~'1occasins falling from high overhanging limbs into boats arc most likely bd will gllpe their mouth revealing the wlUtish inner lining. Although Water Snakes do 1I0t display either of these behaviors they, too, have whitish coloration in the mouth lining. Therefore, dead Water Moccasins Gumot be positively identified based solely on the color of their inner-mouth lining (Caution: Vcnom may remain fully toxic cvcn in dead snakes. It is best to leave dead snakes of uncertain identification alone). Moulh-gape wi/milig behavior (iop right) alld bead allgle tJpica{ o/Water Moccasins, n,l/vibratloll... In addition to mouth-gaping, Water MOCCllSins wiJJ often rapidly vibrate their tail whcn agitated or threatened. Allhough several other non-venomous snakes also exhibit this behavior (Black Racers, for example), Water Snakes do nol. Irater SlItll:es, like ibis Northern Iraler SlItllN!, btWf! btl/Ills Ibtll (/re Idtkst OIl fO/1, IL'ben.'fI,f IrtllerMocCtisillS btltVJ bt/llds Ilxll are widest 01/ tbe sides, Patte,." ... The two most common Water Snakes in Georgia ~md South Carolina, Bandcd and Northern, have bands that arc widest on top, Juvenile and patterned adult Water Moccasins havc "hollow" bands that are widest on thc sidcs ~md appear to be "hourglass shaped." lJllderside 0/ tail... Water Moccasins have a single row of scales (similar 10 the belly scales) on the underside of their lail, while a double row of scales is present on Water Snakes (Caution: If uncertain as to species, scale chameteristics should 200' be examined on dead snakes and shed skins). WATER MOCCASIN Single scale row WATER S::.NrA\:,:KrETrr"h-~ Double scale rows Head s/)ape alld features... The shape of the head is not a reliable way to differentiatc these species since Water Snakes am flare out their head