Date: Tue, 1 Nov 2011 08:34:41 -0400
Reply-To: Tim Keyes <Tim.Keyes@DNR.STATE.GA.US>
Sender: Georgia Birders Online <GABO-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From: Tim Keyes <Tim.Keyes@DNR.STATE.GA.US>
Subject: Re: Cottonmouths [was: Dunlin, Bald Eagle, Clayton County...]
In-Reply-To: <CAKZf=pP-WsqKwCHJqTiCaNLrqMKJp7Lmha85y9Y8v4HiXNUgfA@mail.gmail.com>
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Just a follow up note.
All non-venomous snakes in Ga are protected and it is illegal to kill
them. (GA Conservation Law Handbook - 27-1-28 "Taking of nongame
species").
I certainly hope birders are not among those that kill thousands of
harmless (and helpful) snakes in Georgia each year.
(I hope birders are also not killing venomous snakes either.... despite
the lack of legal protection)
Tim Keyes
Brunswick GA
>>> Eran Tomer <erantomer@GMAIL.COM> 11/1/2011 1:37 AM >>>
Hello all,
Sincere apologies for straying so far off-topic, but I'd like to add
information regarding Cottonmouth (water moccasin) occurrence and
identification. The potential presence of this dangerous snake around
Georgia's largest population center would be of concern for both
birders and conservation (see below).
The Cottonmouth has been recorded in the southern and western reaches
of the Atlanta area, in the Chattahoochee River corridor. Quite a few
herp species have been expanding northwards in recent years, so it
would not be entirely surprising to hear of Cottonmouth sightings
within the region proper. These would be more likely along the
Chattahoochee area and adjacent water courses, and probably less
frequent as one moves from southwest (e.g. Clayton and Douglas
counties) to northeast (e.g. the Chattahoochee River National
Recreation Area). While cold-tolerant, this predominantly Southeastern
lowland species still exhibits temperature sensitivity and its
preferred habitat is uncommon in the northern Piedmont. Mild winters
may enable some snakes to survive further north than their normal
range, while harsh ones - or prolonged cold spells - may push the
species back southwards. If present within the Atlanta area, the
Cottonmouth would be rare there.
This venomous snake is confused very frequently with harmless,
semi-aquatic species also commonly called `Moccassins’:
* Northern Watersnake, Midland subspecies (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis),
which is common in the Atlanta region.
* Brown Watersnake (Nerodia taxispilota). This species is supposed to
occur in the area but little of its preferred habitat is available
locally, and I am not aware of recent, confirmed records of it here.
* Banded Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata), which does not occur as far
north as the Atlanta area.
A good binocular or scope view should reveal the Cottonmouth's
black-white striped face, its heat-sensing pit near the nose,
distinctly angular head and its vertical pupils. (Beware of getting
too close to a likely Cottonmouth to confirm all of these, though).
The above, harmless watersnakes have plain faces that are rather
rounded (especially N. Watersnake), no pit and round pupils.
Cottonmouths are also bulky snakes, as are Brown Watersnakes, but the
common Northern Watersnake is usually smaller and much more slender.
Snake pigmentation varies considerably so, generally, it doesn't
constitute a sound basis for identification. Cottonmouths *tend* to be
dark-ish, especially when large (hence old) and barred with heavy,
well-defined cross bands. Watersnakes are usually lighter. Brown
Watersnake's black marks are typically more splotchy than bar-like.
Midland Northern Watersnake - while highly variable - is usually
banded with warm reddish-brown and lacks heavy, dark cross-markings.
Some individuals are banded khaki-brown but more distinctly and...
splotchily than Cottonmouths. Young watersnakes are tigrine, not
barred like young Cottonmouths, and lack the latter's angular head and
black-striped face.
Behavior offers good identification clues too. Watersnakes are usually
skittish and flee or drop into the water when approached closely,
whereas Cottonmouths stand their ground or retreat slowly. These
latters may also gape when confronted, revealing their trademark,
namesake white mouths. Watersnakes rarely gape at people.
Additionally, watersnakes normally swim with only their heads and
necks above water, while Cottonmouths swim with much of their bodies
visible.
Lastly, a note about habitat. Cottonmouths and harmless watersnakes
overlap widely in their preferences but the former is more likely in
floodplain-like situations, as well as waterways with exposed
banks/bars and logs.
Many watersnakes are killed regularly on suspicion of being
Cottonmouths. Not only are these serpents harmless (and pretty and
intriguing), however, but they serve as key habitat quality
indicators. Northern Watersnakes, especially, are widely distributed
and tolerant generalists. They occur in most water bodies with even
marginally healthy aquatic life, so their absence usually indicates
significant pollution. They also play an important role in regulating
populations of aquatic organisms, help sanitize waterways by consuming
carrion, and themselves constitute prey for many animals, including
birds. In the northern Piedmont, watersnakes would also outnumber
potential Cottonmouths by orders of magnitude.
Thus, alarm over the potential presence of Cottonmouths around Atlanta
should not motivate increased snake killing. Conversely, it ought to
encourage more careful observation of snakes and better documentation
of their occurrence. Snake safety behavior is easy and has many
additional merits: avoiding blind placement of hands and feet prevents
many nasty surprises, staying on trail prevents habitat destruction,
risks from ticks and fellow mini-devils decrease markedly when one
doesn’t crawl through tall vegetation and looks before sitting.
Now I owe y’all a double apology, not only for content but also for
length. Here it is, and it’s sincere. I do hope that this post
helped
alleviate some concerns regarding Cottonmouths. Incidentally, I will
be deeply grateful to learn of any potential Cottonmouth sighting near
Atlanta, and render assistance with identification.
Bird posts are on the way.
Best regards,
- Eran Tomer
Atlanta, GA
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Eugenia R. Thompson
> Sent: Sunday, October 30, 2011 1:29 PM
> To: GABO-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Subject: Re: [GABO-L] Dunlin, Bald Eagle, Clayton County Water
Authority,
> Oct 29, 2011
>
> Thought we didn't have Water Moccasins in the Atl. area.....
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