Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma

Description:  The Western Cottonmouth snake is a dark, heavy-bodied water snake. This snake’s broad based head is noticeably wider than its neck. The head is flat topped and the eyes have vertical pupils. There is a facial pit between eye and nostril. It can be 20 to 74 inches long. Either patternless or with serrated-edged dark cross bands, the western cottonmouth can be olive, brown, or black in color. It also has a wide light bordered, dark-brown cheek stripe that is either distinct, obscure, or absent. The scales are keeled in 25 rows. Unlike other snakes, it swims with its head well out of the water. WARNING: Do not disturb or attempt to handle. The western cottonmouth is a poisonous snake.

Habitat: The western cottonmouth snake is found in lowland swamps, lakes, rivers, bayheads, sloughs, irrigation ditches, canals, or rice fields. It can be found anywhere in Arkansas. This particular cottonmouth was found at Horsehead Lake by the swimming area.

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