Several of the many vernacular names with this snake are Agkistrodon piscivorus, swamp adder and trapjaw. This is a rather slow moving, abundant, viperine snake that is quite more likely to stand its ground in lieu of run if frightened. This is a semi-aquatic species that swims readily and well—and just to the record, it is quite effective at biting while submerged.
Cottonmouth in Water
Adults are big dark snakes who have wide, albeit often obscure, bands, light cheeks and also a prominent eyestripe. As well as finding the trademark eyestripe babies are prominently banded. If threatened the cottonmouth is reasonably more likely to coil, tip its head backward, and gape widely, displaying the cottony-white mouth lining. It is a dangerously venomous snake. To its carrion eating habits, a cottonmouth bite often results in a second infection that could be much harder to manage compared to the actual envenomation. pphotography-blog.blogspot.com.