Cottonmouth

Semi-aquatic. Displays white mouth when threatened. More venomous than copperhead.

Also Known AsWater Moccasin

FamilyViperidae

GenusAgkistrodon

RegionNorth AmericaSoutheastern United States

Misidentification risk

CottonmouthCopperhead Northern Water Snake

Photo: MH Herpetology · Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY-SA 4.0

Cottonmouth

Click to shuffle (1/4)

Photo: MH Herpetology · Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY-SA 4.0

Cottonmouth

Click to shuffle (1/4)

Danger Score

Final Danger Score

Venom Core

Lethality weighted 55% (potency × yield). Clinical weighted 45% (real-world CFR).

0.55 × 34 + 0.45 × 3233.1

Modifiers

Multiplicative scalers - amplify or reduce existing danger, can't create it from nothing.

× Speed (0.94)31.1

× Delivery (1.00)31.1

× Encounter (0.86)26.8

Speed = antivenom window. Delivery = fang efficiency. Encounter = exposure × temperament.

Score27

Venom Profile

Type

HemotoxicTargets blood and circulatory system; disrupts clotting and can cause bleeding disorders.,CytotoxicDestroys cells and damages tissue; can cause permanent tissue damage and disfigurement.

Venom Yield

Moderate

Venom Speed

Slow

Delivery Method

Hinged front fangs

Potency (SC Equivalent)

12.000mg/kg LD50

Max Dry Yield

125mg dry

Clinical Severity

Fatality (Untreated)

1-5%

WHO Importance

Cat. 2

Local Effects

Pain at bite site, Swelling, Tissue damage, Necrosis

Blood

Coagulopathy

Causes of Death

Massive internal bleeding