Is this a Water Moccasin ?

felloffthetruck · 07-02-16, 05:10 PM

Is this a Water Moccasin?

Lucky our Great Dane did not see this guy. Would a snake like this kill a Great Dane if bitten?

Jim Smith · 07-02-16, 05:23 PM

Yes it is. Their venom is usually not fatal to a person or large dog unless it is injected into or very near a vein. It's similar to a Copperhead in toxicity and my pit bull has been bitten 2 or 3 times on the snout by copperheads. The end result is swelling and she feels a bit under the weather for a day or two. All that said, I would keep an eye out and not let my dog near one just in case.

FWK · 07-02-16, 05:25 PM

Yes, it is a Cottonmouth AKA Water Moccasin (Agkistrodon sp.). Location?

Most likely wouldn't kill a large dog, but the dog would be in for a rough ride and some permanent morbidity is certainly possible. You'd definitely want to get the dog to a vet ASAP in the event of a bite.

felloffthetruck · 07-02-16, 05:28 PM

This is in Florida and the snake was shot and killed.

He did not seem too friendly.

felloffthetruck · 07-02-16, 05:28 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone.

FWK · 07-02-16, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by felloffthetruck

This is in Florida and the snake was shot and killed.

Bummer. If it's in the peninsula it's a Florida Cottonmouth, A. conanti (formerly A. piscivorus conanti). The panhandle is a hybridization zone with Northern Cottonmouths (A. piscivorus).

Quote:

Originally Posted by felloffthetruck

He did not seem too friendly.

Obviously, both humans and dogs represent mortal threats to a much smaller animal such as this. It just wants to be left alone.

felloffthetruck · 07-02-16, 05:40 PM

Yea, I'm not into killing any animal but my neighbor did not feel the same.

This is out west of Ocala and there is a huge lake (lake Rousseau) two streets over from here.

First time seeing one of these in three years. See a lot of black racers and that's about it.