Cottonmouth

Ravnos · #1 (**permalink**) 09-29-2002, 07:29 AM

Just wanted to get some other people's opinions, or if I just lucked out. I recently aquired an adult western cottonmouth - wild caught, pretty much just off the boat, so to speak. Now, I have never really worked with cottonmouths before, aside from a single photo shoot, so I had no clue really what to expect as far as behavior. Anyway... come to find out, this girl is a champ. She took a thawed rat on the first feeding. She hooks like a ruber that has been in captivity for 10 years... and if you don't understand that analogy, I put the hook down, she practically crawls onto it and she'll sit on it indefinitely. I tubed her to probe her, absolutely no muss, no fuss. She has never struck - aside from a single hit when I wiggle the mouse in front of her. I was just wondering if any one else has had similar experiences with cottonmouths? I've just heard so much hype about them that I was expecting a monster, and instead, I got an animal that is quickly becoming my favorite to work with.

Rav
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JuliusSqueezer · #2 (**permalink**) 09-29-2002, 07:24 PM

I've never kept any except for snakesitting brians entire hot collection here while his house was being sprayed for a few days...But I have caught many over the years to relocate or just to check out cause I could and they are generally easier to hook than wild copperheads....they aren't as flighty unless right at the water's edge and have a quick easy escape. Otherwise they seem like your typical fat bodied pitviper that pretty much just holds his ground and depends on your knowledge of his potent bite so you just go away...Brian's PK is just a female dog. She hit's the glass more than Tyson hits his women. Just do not let this seemingly docile snake lull you in too close or into making a stupid hooking error like lifting her out and over someone...that one time when she REALLY doesn't need to come off the hook is when she might.
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Ravnos · #3 (**permalink**) 09-29-2002, 07:58 PM

Oh, I'm still more than careful with her, but after dealing with atrox and small rattlers, its nice to have an animal that sits on the hook and can be worked with, without making it an ordeal. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Rav
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JuliusSqueezer · #4 (**permalink**) 09-29-2002, 08:22 PM

Oh...I know you are. answers to forum questions like this in my opinion should be answered as though they were to just anyone because other people read them to gather info on certain topics. I know you know better...but someone else might not.
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BWSmith · #5 (**permalink**) 09-30-2002, 06:41 AM

I have some cottons that sit on a hook just as pretty as can be. And I have some that go nuts! They seem to be an extremely varied group of snakes. Each seems to have a distinct "personality." PK is in a class by herself. Being juggled around by fanatics on a random Sunday will do that to you. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] Those who have seen her may not believe it, but she has calmed down a great deal in the past few years. Cottons have become the "mutts" of the venomous community. Not many people really like them. They are very common in the wild (in good habitat). They do not have the striking coloration or particularly lethal venom. As a point, PK caused the only "documented" fatality from a cotton in about 15 years (although since he did not seek medical attention it is not counted officially in the US statistics). But do to these factors, many hot keepers turn their noses up at cottons. I am not one of these keepers. I LOVE my cottons. I am a big fan of all Agkistrodon. The cottonmouth is a very interesting hot. For one, it's venom is very viscous (thick). It is like syrup! This due to to things. One, it is a semi-aquatic (using the term loosely) serpent. It's venom is not nearly as water soluable as many species. Second, their prey is mainly aqautic species. Anyone who as ever fished knows how long a fish can go without water before dying. Thus a very concentrated venom is preferrable. Another note ont he cotton is that it gapes. Few vens will do this. Most notable is the Balck Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis). Nice company to be in! This is an unusual warning system when you think about it. Some have a rattle (sound), but these rely on the "frightening power" of the color their mouth! Pretty amazing if you ask me. Personally, I find them to be interesting and amazing captives that are full of suprises. They can go from a log to a firecracker in .2 seconds! Plus they are very generalized feeders. Makes it easy to feed when they will eat ANYTHING! Anyone who has seen a cottonmouth scraping a road kill frog off the pavement and eating it knows what I mean! All and all, I love cottons (even if they do musk like a Super Soaker!) [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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