Cottonmouth vs. Water Snakes: How To Spot The Difference! (ft. Life's Wild Adventures)
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- Опубликовано: 19 июн 2024
- The venomous cottonmouth snake is one of the most feared animals in the Eastern US, and often misidentified and confused with harmless water snakes. In this video, we team up with Zachary Gray from Life's Wild Adventures to catch and show you the differences between the potentially deadly water moccasin and two species of nonvenomous water snake!
Zach's Channel:
/ @lifeswildadventures
If you enjoyed this video, make sure to leave a like and share it with your friends. If you didn't, please leave a comment telling me what I could improve on. For more educational wildlife content, subscribe to my channel. New videos go up on Saturday mornings!
/ thewildreportofficial
Check out my social media pages for more wildlife information:
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Also, I owe a big thanks to my top Patreon supporters:
Ruurd Damen
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Patreon Link: patreon.com/thewildreport
If you've made it this far in the description, remember to be safe when creature adventuring! Most wild animals can cause injury if harassed, and I do not recommend attempting to capture any creatures without purpose and practice. The reason that I interact with wildlife is to produce these educational videos, and I have years of zoology experience under my belt. Also, I always ask permission from a land owner before exploring on their property, and you should do the same.
Keep adventuring everywhere, and keep your adventures safe at all times!
-Ben Zino
"To the Lord your God belongs the Heavens, even the highest Heavens, and the earth and everything in it."
Deuteronomy 10:14
#reptiles #wildlife #nature
Thank you so much for watching this video everyone! If you did enjoy, I would really appreciate it if you could share this video on social media to help more people learn to tell the difference between these snakes, and also leave a like. If you are interested in learning more about backyard wildlife, feel free to subscribe to my channel. I post new videos every other Saturday morning!
ruclips.net/user/thewildreportofficial
Also, don't forget to check out Zach's channel for more awesome wildlife videos!
ruclips.net/channel/UCQaMMvbWGA4723s1x82df8Avideos
Keep adventuring everywhere!
-Ben Zino
The Wild Report I sure will, you’ll see why when you read my post.
Honey island by thicket and all that in Texas?
Jj*ijjjjj
🤔 Hmmmm.
I was fishing on the shore. Standing on a large limestone boulder. A very large and aggressive black cotton mouth swam towards me. It came out of the water and slithered directly to my feet. It tried to bite my feet. I tried to gently detour it with a hiking stick. It became more aggressive and was determined to attack. A park ranger managed to get it into a bucket with a lid. He took it to the naturalists station. Is there an explanation of why it attacked me? BTW. We've NEVER seen a cottonmouth snake up here, near Cleveland Ohio. Mostly, black water snakes. 🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🚣🧜😳
New York don't have cotton mouths I hope not
Finally-2 young people who actually aren't obnoxious and very well informed. You guys are better than a lot of the other snake handlers on here. Well done!
Thanks very much, I appreciate the kind words!
@@TheWildReportOfficial No problem. Keep it up! Definitely subbing to ya'll. Are you guys in NC? I think I saw an NC state shirt
@@thefloridianbadger2594 I live in Central NC, Zach lives in Louisiana.
@@TheWildReportOfficial Right on. You guys ever come down to the Everglades??I'm sure you'd have a blast here since Florida is the Australia of North America
I was thinking all long lines of same thing. You guys are very well spoken and knowledgeable about snakes and wildlife. Great job.
I also love that you described cottonmouths as defensive. It’s a very common misconception that they are an OFFENSIVE species that will chase and attack unprovoked. They are defensive, meaning they will try to protect themselves when they feel they are in danger. If you leave them alone, they’ll leave you alone.
These guys are awesome, reminds me of the people I used to hang with back when I lived in the small towns of Missouri. Lot of Missouri people are fun to hunt with, and explore the country with, and I’m black and from a city, so it was a treat to be able to see how these people grow up, and the cultural differences. The country life is where it’s at.
County life is something special, I’ve live in both the city and country. I liked the city in my younger party days but prefer to raise my kids in the country where they have room to explore versus the city where they couldn’t leave the porch, mostly because they were smaller but there wasn’t much yard anyways and the sidewalk was so close to the street and always had random people walking by where as in the country you’re rarely see someone you dont know on your road. Both great places to live but I’m happy where I’m at now 😊
I love how accurate and swift Zack moves when he sees the right type of snake, I really enjoy his wide and accurate knowledge of snakes as well as the fact that him and his colleague seem to truly love and care about the snakes and are careful to not injure them.
Fantastic video, boys! Professional hunting, handling, and knowledge and a charismatic delivery. Look forward to watching more.
Thanks for the support Kevin, really glad to hear that you enjoyed the video!
When I begin to lose faith in our younger generation, these guys give me hope. Don’t let any of us old folks call you “kids” either, you’re grown damn men, albeit youngun’s.
Y'all got more balls than I got everytime I see a snake I'm going the other way and not being mean but if they are coming across the road and I'm driving my truck I tried to do my best to put them out of their miserable
Enjoyed your video very much
I admire your cool. I would rather compare roosters; they do not bite !
i am impressed by you young bucks, i am glad to see there are still good young boys who understand nature. Appreciated that you filmed their release at the end, it made the video complete.
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed!
So cool this video got over a million views. Very well deserved. My man went shoe deep in the mud and dragged out a swamp log with a venomous viper in it!! Now that is commitment! Great video to you both
Haha thanks a bunch! Yeah can't believe how much attention this video has received.
Zach My heart rate jumps when you get so close to venomous critters, I appreciate your very informative video’s but please stay safe! Both of you are great, please stay safe
Absolutely will do, safety is our top concern!
@@TheWildReportOfficial when you pulled that log out of the swamp, yeah the mocassin didn't come flying out at you, but there probably was at least a 1/20 chance that it would. When you're young, you like to show bravery and take that risk, but keep in mind doing this kind of activity inevitably some day it'll go to that 1 chance on 20. At least there are two of you to help the other but still, don't do things differently because of the camera and remember that we all have lacked judgement over emotions when we are or were young, . Stay safe, well done.
@@TheWildReportOfficialI agree with Michael, appreciate what you're trying to do for people but I saw several red flags go off. Not trying to knock on ya,cause the non venomous snakes you looked professional when handling but you put your safety on the line a couple times unnecessarily in my opinion and I just don't want to see you get bit if you can prevent it. Wear some protective clothes, going snake hunting in shorts and tennis shoes is asking for trouble. I know some snakes can bite through jeans and some type of boots but I'm pretty sure they either make some clothes for protection or you can make something to protect yourself.
Y'all were way to close to that cottonmouth and several times you let yourself get distracted and look away when it was close enough to strike you while waving your hands around or so it appeared to me at least. 1 bite is all it takes guys. And don't ever go out or split up and be by yourselves when going after a venomous snake. If you get bit you want someone there who can help keep you calm and make good decisions and get you out of there. You might make good decisions and stay calm on your own but what if you're alone and have to drive yourself and lose function or pass out or whatever the symptoms are of the bite affect you and you lose control? I know you had 2 people there that time but I'm just saying that in general. Stay safe,better safe and alive than cool and dead. Could've mentioned that the cottonmouth got it's name from having a white mouth that looked like cotton and can identify it that way,I don't think I heard you say anything about that in the video. Informative video though,thanks!
Y’all are some BAMFs. This was a very well put together and informative video! The respect you have for all 3 snakes is commendable.
Y’all got some serious stones doin this😂
@willie peppers NO THEY DON'T
Yes they do! Especially the guy wearing shorts. Then he runs in the water after a cottonmouth!
Damn, you two got some of the biggest balls I've seen to go out there and hunt down snakes like that, good on ya, cause you would neeeeeeever catch me doing no shit like this.
Thanks so much for this. I found my first snake recently, a worm snake in my yard, and I was in love. I'm an eighty year old woman determined to learn as much as I can about these beautiful animals.
That's awesome, so glad you made it here!
I worked at a golf course in Florida for a couple years. I am no snake expert. However, it was crazy how you never see snakes in and around the water until you start looking for them. Once you look you realize they are everywhere!!!
Yep, they are just shy and tend to stay out of the way!
Have ran into several water snakes in my life, but they typically vanish so quickly that I do not have time for positive ID. A testament to their true (and deeply respected) priorities when encountering trespassers such as myself. Thank you so much for the extremely informative video. Well done!
Even though both of you are very youthful, it is also easy to tell that you are experienced, knowledgeable, and articulate. Kudos
Idk about the experienced part....they broke so many rules while handling venomous snakes
Wow you guys are great! You get to the point, give the necessary information without overwhelming the viewers. Loved how you mentioned they are important to our ecosystem.
Thank you!
Great video Ben! Working with Zachary is always a pleasure! We are glad y'all found your target species! We look forward to your next collab with Zach! -EliWild1 and LukeWild2
Thanks guys, this was definitely an awesome episode to film!
I randomly found this and I'm glad I did! From the editing to the filming and the knowledge you guys have too., it's great. You guys have a huge future and I can't wait to see the growth!
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks so much for the support!
Wow guys! Snakes really creep me out. I'm from out West...we have rattlesnakes here...but they give a warning... Interesting how that cottonmouth shook it's tail the same as rattlesnakes do, only no rattle sound. Good job...very informative.
Many species exhibit that behavior as a defensive display, it is interesting that rattlesnakes have taken that to an extreme. And thanks for the kind words!
Yes I’ve seen Racers and Rat snakes do the same thing
Great video! Thank yall so much I've never been able to truly distinguish the difference between the water snake and cotton mouth. These guys were so descriptive and broke it down beautifully.
Glad it was helpful, thanks so much for watching!
Appreciation for what you guys are doing. Very helpful to see the differences with them side by side. I want my kids to be able to identify different types of snakes and your videos are my go to
So glad to hear that, thanks for the kind words!
Just moved to Louisiana from the desert Southwest. Am not afraid of snakes but was initially dismayed to discover how many types of venomous snakes are here. Especially since there is so much more vegetation and hiding places in general (which is probably why local snakes can get so big). I’m glad to have found this video and am more confident about spotting and avoiding cotton mouths. They have the familiar pit-viper look about them that I’m used to seeing in rattle snakes. In the West we’ve got coyotes, scorpions, black widows, tarantula wasps, and rattle snakes. But they have a harder time hiding!
9:48 the way the cottonmouths tail flaps around is awesome
Definitely, gotta love that defensive behavior!
Thanks for the great video, guys! Old, life-long bullfrog hunter here that has seen hundreds of snakes in the wild at night, and many of them were up close and personal.
The first thing I look for is the distinctive black stripe across their face, right at eye level. It sort of looks like Native American war paint. Every cottonmouth I've ever seen in my area has it. There are several other tell-tale things to look for of course, and I do not ignore those, but their heads seem to always be visible, and this stripe stands out to me, even at a good distance. So I can usually identify a cottonmouth at a glance by this marking alone. I do know there are certain color variations that don't have it, or at least it won't be as pronounced, but I have never seen this variation in my area, so that stripe is the first thing I have learned to look for. 👍
Of course! And yeah that's a good ID tip when you've seen it enough times, but I think it sometimes throws beginners off.
Very awesome video!! That's very awesome to inform people, especially the ones that are scared of or don't like snakes of difference between the species. Hopefully this video will also save alot of snakes's lives, showing the true behavior of these snakes. All animals have important roles to their environment and we need to respect and understand that.
Thanks so much Brandon, really glad that you enjoyed the video!
Thanks for showing us. I enjoyed learning about the differences side by side and the nature of the snakes. They are really not vicious. Fascinating!
Hope you guys keep making these this was the most helpful info I could find to get visual aid in identifying cotton mouths. You two have a real future in this if you keep at it.
Very informative, thank you guys for making the effort to compare side by side. I was nervous even while knowing these were on a screen
Good video. Not many videos out there do a good job showing the difference, so I appreciate it. I do Snake IDs in many Texas groups and a few Lousiana ones. I rescue snakes for free here in NW Houston as well.
Keep up the good work!
You guys are engaging in my favorite hobby when I was a kid. Good job, fellas. Earned my Subscription!
I have only subscribed to TWO other channels, this being Number Two. I appreciate your level of professionalism, your care and concern for wildlife and your knowledge. I especially appreciate the fact that you're both so young. Keep on informing us of your knowledge. I live in a rural farm country area and have become disabled, so I must now depend on online videos a lot to stay in touch with nature. Thanks, guys! I'll be watching!
Thank you for sharing. I live in the suburbs here outside of Nola. With this crazy weather this summer out of nowhere my yard has become a serious problem for water snakes. I didn’t know what kind of snakes they were until coming across your channel. I may add I live in golf course community with ponds but I don’t know why they are using my backyard as a passing. We have had 4 in a month. Very scary
You and Zach did a great job with this video! Can’t wait to see more! Keep up the great work!
Thanks Bryan, glad you enjoyed the video!
You guys are fantastic! I love Ben's line, "next time you encounter a snake you hopefully won't kill it."
I used to live on a lake in the Carolinas when I was a little boy, and Cottonmouth and Copperhead were everywhere. I used to both freak my mom out, and make dad proud handling, and playing around with them! Snakes are awesome, and you guys did a fine job illustrating the species!
Ive low-key wanted this cross over between channels for a while. This makes me so happy.
Glad to hear that, it was awesome working with Zach and there are more collab videos to come!
Awesome video fellas. Really appreciate the work y’all are putting in to keep people informed and how to stay safe out in the swamps
Thanks so much, really glad that you enjoyed!
Great video dudes ! Educating people about snakes is important. Keep it up guys.
Thanks very much, will do!
These young guys are well informed, and I actually enjoyed listening to them. Great video
Glad you enjoyed it!
Really good informational video, better than what one can find in the TV. Great job guys!!!!
I am so amazed with your knowledge and courage. Stay safe guys!
Great work gentlemen, very informative. You guys are definitely in your element. Phew.
This video was well-done in all aspects from the pacing to the presentation of the information itself. You have a good vibe and the right timbre to do audio as well. Subbed and I wish you all the best in growing your channel:)
Thank you so much for the kind words and the subscription. I really appreciate the support!
Awesome video guys! Very informative and helpful. Thank you for sharing it!
This is so helpful! I had no idea that water snakes would flatten their heads to look more like cottonmouths
I'm so glad to hear that, thanks for watching!
Fabulous video!! Thank you both so much for doing this incredibly informative video. I am moving to the Texas Gulf Coast in a few weeks. My home sits right on a river canal. I am concerned about the safety of curious pets. I am trying to familiarize and educate myself with all snakes I may come in contact near my home. I am going to subscribe and watch all of your videos. Thank you again for all your hard work. You guys are fearless!! Stay safe. 🙏✌💙
Thanks so much for this comment, I really appreciate the support!
I was raised in Honey Island Swamp(from nearby Picayune, MS now in Nashville)in the early 70s. My grandpa and great uncles (all were WWII veterans) had a hunting camp in there(and a moonshine still)…me, my brother, and a bunch of cousins learned to hunt, fish, and basically survive in that swamp. Good to see you two taking care of that place..We found moccasins the size of car tires in that swamp. 😉 Stay safe and keep up the great work of educating and preserving such super special place to me and others.
Thank you! Just moved to the southeast and NEED to learn my snakes! You guys are AWESOME!
Thank you so much for this video! I just walked out my back garage door and there was a 6 to 8 foot very fat enormous black snake with a white mouth and white lips, but it had big jaws. I was thinking it was an eastern rat snake but then I thought maybe it was a cottonmouth because it was pouring down rain and it was resting right in a big puddle on black asphalt. So after watching your video I think it was not a cottonmouth because it was moving very smoothly on the asphalt and went all the way up into the air like 3 feet dancing around the trashcan sniffing I guess. You guys are awesome I wish you could meet my daughter she’s only 20 years old and she loves to catch snakes and she’s majoring in wildlife conservation. Her name is Chloe Spengler.
Dang y’all did great on your video - very educational and interesting! Great job and thank you.
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed!
Thanks for the info! I have been told that one way to tell a water moccasin from a copperhead is that a Mocassin/Cottonmouth has a spot in the "kisses" that gives it a "bullseye" pattern, but, of course, they do darken with age.
Very helpful video! We have a lot of water snakes where we live, and I enjoy getting close and photographing them... and people are always telling me "maybe they are water moccasins". I know they aren't but it was good to see the two compared side by side. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful, thanks for the comment!
Extremely succinct and clear descriptive stuff guys! Good video !
Much appreciated, thanks for watching!
Very professional video. Energetic and informative hosts, great editing keeps things moving along. Good sound and cinematography. Excellent job!
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is a great video. Thanks for educating the public and for showing your humane release st the end!
Fantastic video fellas! Brought back memories of me in 1990's catching cooper heads and cottonmouth snakes near the house with a homemade noose to show my friends. I remember taking a 5 foot king snake a friend sold me to high school one time and people freaking the f out in biology class lol... Cause it got out of my gym bag and slid under the teachers desk.
Great informative video guys. Keep up the good work you have earned my subscription by your respect towards nature.
Great ending as well
Thanks so much for the support, welcome to the channel!
You guys have a great channel, very knowledgeable and informative, definitely subbing 👍🏼
Thanks so much, welcome to the channel!
My daughter got bit by a cottonmouth. Antivenin for 2 days. We had to wait 4 hours before it was available. I think research from people like you would go a long way for people.
Very good video guys! It is definitely refreshing to see young men so well informed and well spoken! An additional characteristic of a non venomous water snake is the vertical bars around the mouth. Once again, good job young men!!
Thanks very much, I appreciate the kind words!
Crazy how you were able to get all 3 species next to each other without any aggression between them, very informative video and great handling skills.
It was very fortunate, and thanks for the support!
Wearing shorts- “I’ll make an exception and pull the log” 😰
Omg, I just asked you to do one of these, and turns out you did it years ago!!! Thanks so much for being ahead of me. 😄
Very good video guys! Very informative, and great handling👏
What a great job, guys! Thank you for your very informative video.
Glad it was helpful, thanks for watching!
I stumbled across this, wow you guys are fearless!! Great video be careful out there and keep up the good work.
Thank you! Will do!
Glad to see young people like yourselves doing something constructive and informative. Nice video and best of luck in your endeavors.
By the way guys this is very helpful for a lot of people I appreciate what you guys do you deserve more recognition
Thanks for the kind words, Michael!
This is a great video! Good job guys!
Excellent video guys really like how you respected those beautiful creatures getting that close to those snakes would turn my hair grayer than it already is
Glad you enjoyed it!
Appreciate it, Great info!
Love you guys! I grew up in Louisiana and have caught all of these snakes as a kid/young adult. Was fascinated by all the snakes, especially the pit vipers.
Great educational video, guys. That is so helpful because we sometimes have snakes in or near our pond in Northern Ohio.
Glad it was helpful!
One of the best videos Ive seen on this. Probably the best. Great video.
That's high praise, thanks so much for the positive feedback!
Cool encouragement!
excellent video, guys. You are very well versed in these species and respectful of them, and it shows. You have earned a subscription!
Thanks for the sub!
Thank y’all so much for sharing this!
You have the best videos! Always learning something from you. I grew up around wildlife like you and it never ceases to amaze me. So glad there are still young people out there who not only enjoy nature but encourage others to do so (and with kindness as well). Big fan! 🐍
Wow, thank you so much for the kind words. Glad to have you here on the channel!
Great job guys.
Stumbled across your video and I was surprised. Lots of good info and content. Awesome job.
Thanks Daren, glad you enjoyed!
Great video guys I'm impressed with your skills I thought I knew the difference ... but now after watching your video I believe I may have been mistaking other snakes for moccasins in the past. Well done... I'm subscribing.
Awesome, so glad we could help and I appreciate the subscription!
I got bit by a moccasin about a month ago in my backyard. Since then I’ve been trying to learn about snakes that live in central Florida. I’m in rural area where all kinds of snakes live - even rattle snakes. It seems that very little is known about venomous snakes and lots of myths out there. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and helping people like me.
Sorry to hear that you got bit but it's so cool that this has prompted you to learn more about them!
Buy a hoe.
I live in Georgia now but I’m a native Floridian. If I see a moccasin anywhere near where people might be or traverse and I have a means to kill it I will. I will generally let rattlesnakes live because they will give you a warning, but with moccasins I’m most likely going to kill it if I have a means. Too many people and pets have been bitten by them. And for you radical environmentalists, sorry. People are more important than moccasins. You aren’t going to hurt the ecosystem by reducing their numbers because there are plenty of water snakes that serve the same function without being a threat to people and their pets.
What is to learn?
See a snake. Kill it.
Nothing else needs to be learned.
Hey y'all,. So I happened to run across this vid and right in the middle heard, Honey Island Swamp. I had to perk up and pay closer attention at that point. That's where I call home! Were y'all walking the oil well road or indian bayou? Great video. It's good to see y'all doing well. This information helps all of us that love the outdoors. Good luck and keep up the good work.
No way, what are the odds! I don't recall the road that we were walking. Really glad to hear that you've been enjoying my content.
Very well done. Keep it up. This video was very informative. I appreciate the respect you give these amazing creatures.
Thanks very much Melisa, glad you enjoyed!
Very informative video, great work!
Thank you!
You guys are quite knowledgeable about snakes. Keep up the good work 💪
Thanks very much, will do!
Nice video, loved it... very educational and it came across in a good way, cottonmouths I always loved it how you couldn't see their eyes from the top of their head not that I would know anything about them...lol...
Glad you enjoyed it!
What an awesome video! These guys had me hooked on watching it. Both of these guys have balls of steel.
great video guys! It was very informative as I found a snake in my pool today and am trying to decipher what kind it was. I am impressed with the amount of knowledge at your age....must be your passion. Chase your dream!
Thanks very much! We are both definitely passionate about wildlife conservation, and are glad to have your support.
Cottonmouths are some CHONKY bois! Great video as always!
Haha thanks man glad you enjoyed!
Very nice report! You seem like good boys.
Nice video! Thanks for releasing and protecting these important animals!
Great vid guys, thoroughly enjoyed it. I live on a ranch where I'm feeding the horses, mules, donkeys, pigs and goats daily. Frequently I come upon snakes that find their way in the stalls. I don't know what species of snake I often see, but I make sure they're outta the way of the animals before allowing them to enter in the stall. I'm a new subscriber and look forward to more vids so I can learn a/b the snakes. ~
All that said ty so much bc I now know it was a water moccasin. You boys are well educated & gutsy. Be careful even Steve Irwin wasn't afraid of anything. Be safe
I learned a new word. CHONK. I have some CHONK friends. Great collab between you both, lots of info in this one. Hopefully, you'll snag some folks who need to see this before they kill their next watersnake. Good job guys!
xD We have discovered a new euphemism...Thanks man, appreciate the comment!
You guys are great and I love the NC State Wolfpack shirt! Very informative video. Of course one other way to distinguish is simply the white interior of the mouth of the moccasin, but one would have to get the water snake to open his mouth--probably not too easy. Again--great job!
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed!
Thanks guy very educational.
That was such a splendid and informative video!!!! I'm glad you fellers still play outside and aren't stuck on the PS6!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for the video! I’m from Texas and I don’t know a damn thing about Cottonmouths, or Copperheads for that matter, but this was really helpful! Keep it up 👍
Thank you, glad you enjoyed!
I really enjoyed this video , I serendipitously found your channel.. great job
Thank you, welcome aboard!