Last Herp Field Lab and Cottonmouth Natural History

On Monday, April 15th my Herpetology class set out on our last field lab at Shelby Farms. Prior to us going out there, our instructors had set out two turtle traps in separate ponds, approximately 1000 feet from each other. It was actually warm this time (approximately 70 degrees) and sunny, so we were hopeful in something being in the traps. It was quite difficult pulling up the first trap (we soon found out why when we got it to land). There was a giant snapping turtle caught in the trap, along with 19 Red Eared Pond Sliders, a Stinkpot and 4 unidentified species of turtles. There was equally as many turtles in the next pond, however we were able to catch two Cricket Frogs and a Northern Map Turtle as well. We were really hoping to find a snake, but were unsuccessful in catching one. All in all, this final herp trip was a success.

Fast forward to Tuesday, April 16th. I am on another field lab with my Plant Systematics class but this time we were at Meeman State Park (which I discussed in my first blog). We were basically identifying different flora found in Tennessee. We crossed over a small cement bridge, which was about a foot from a small stream. In the stream lay a Cottonmouth! I was so excited to finally see one so close, unfortunately this was the first time I didn't bring my camera so I couldn't take a picture. One of the park rangers prodded the snake with a long stick, it quickly flung around and thrust its jaws open. After a second prod, it swiftly took off under the cement bridge into a hole.

With this being said, I am going to do a short natural history blurb about Agkistrodon piscivorus (a pit viper), commonly known as the Cottonmouth Water Moccassin. They are found primarily in the Southeastern United States (i.e. Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia etc.) They prefer wetlands, which is why we spotted it in a creek, but they also are found on land in vegetation and under logs. The males of this species participate in physical combat, in which the winner will reserve the right to mate with the female. Breeding occurs between April and May. As far as their behavior goes, Cottonmouths are solitary and typically won’t be found far from their home range. Furthermore, they are aggressive snakes, and they do in fact bite when disturbed or provoked, as we witnessed on the field trip. Lastly, the main predators of these snakes are humans, via habitat destruction.

Literature Cited:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Agkistrodon_piscivorus/