Florida Snake Identification Key Cottonmouth, Florida Cottonmouth, Moccasin, Water Moccasin. Florida Cottonmouth The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says they are often confused with the nonvenomous water snake. It lives in rivers, lakes, ponds and ditches, and is often seen sunning itself on river and lake edges, or in overhanging bushes. Their territory stretches from Texas to the Eastern Seaboard, and from the Florida Keys to the middle of Missouri. They are dark in color with various banding on their bodies. The banded water snake is one of the most common snakes in Florida. Home › Southern Black Racer vs Florida Cottonmouth. A venomous snake, the cottonmouth is often confused with non-venomous northern water … A Cottonmouth snake has three different types of species. Water Moccasins vs. Southern Water Snakes: Florida cottonmouth (photo used with permission) Water moccasins (Agkistrodon piscivorus) are venomous snakes with thick bodies. Banded Water Snake or Cottonmouth? Cottonmouth: The pupil of the eye is a catlike vertical slit, and there is a pit on the side of the head between the eye and the nostril. A venomous snake, the cottonmouth is often confused with non-venomous northern water snakes… VENOMOUS. Appearance. Florida Snake Identification Key Cottonmouth, Florida Cottonmouth, Moccasin, Water Moccasin. The banded water snake is one of the most common snakes in Florida. The Black Racer A Case of Mis-identification part I. The Florida Cottonmouth is a close relative of the copperhead, this snake is also known as the water moccasin.When first born, the babies look nothing like the parents. Another way to distinguish the two snakes is by their bodies. Florida Cottonmouth vs Banded Water Snake. Water Moccasins vs. Southern Water Snakes: Florida cottonmouth (photo used with permission) Water moccasins (Agkistrodon piscivorus) are venomous snakes with thick bodies. The Venomous Florida Cottonmouth (or Water Moccasin) has a … Northern Cottonmouth vs. Brown Watersnake. Scientific name: Agkistrodon piscivorus (LACÉPÈDE 1789) The following will separate the two Cottonmouths found in Florida.If you are unable to distinguish between them based on the characteristics in the key below, you probably can do so using the geographic location alone. Unfortunately, harmless northern water snakes are frequently misidentified as "cottonmouths". Their territory stretches from Texas to the Eastern Seaboard, and from the Florida Keys to the middle of Missouri. While the cottonmouth moccasin and the water moccasin are, in fact, the same snake, it pays to err on the safe side when dealing with snakes. Throughout the entire state of Florida, there is a black snake that is most commonly found out in natural areas as well as residential neighborhoods. It is called the Southern Black Racer, Eastern Racer, or just Black Racer. Nerodia fasciata or Banded Water Snake Photo Fiona Sunquist ©. Northern Cottonmouth vs. Northern Watersnake Northern Watersnakes are one of our most abundant snakes and can be found near any body of water that supports fish and/or frogs. While walking down a creek a Water Snake slithered right past me and went up under a washed out bank. The Cottonmouth Snake … If someone walks up on a Water Moccasin, chances are it will be coiled and ready to strike.