Cottonmouth
Agkistrodon piscivorus
Photo credit: Peter May
The cottonmouth is common all over Florida and on many of the surrounding coastal islands. It is a venomous water snake, often found in and around streams, swamps, lakes, and marshes. Frequent resting places include grassy patches or brush piles near water, or low tree branches hanging over water.
Some of these snakes are calm and others are aggressive, but all can be unpredictable. Cottonmouths can strike from any position, in or out of water.