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How many people have died from water moccasins?

Author

William Rodriguez

Published Jan 22, 2026

The University of Florida stated that 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the U.S. each year, but only about five to six people die from their bites. Cottonmouths have accounted for less than 1% of all snakebite deaths in the U.S., according to TPWD.

What snake has caused the most deaths?

The black mamba is the species with the highest mortality rate in every single nation in which it occurs, despite not being responsible for the most numerous snakebites. It is also the species which has the highest mortality rate worldwide.

What state has the most deaths from snake bites?

In 2018, North Carolina had the most snake bites. In 2020, Texas poison centers had a 54% increase in snake calls. About 5.4 million snakebites occur every year worldwide. On average, five Americans die from a snake bite every year.

What is the biggest water moccasin ever caught?

The largest cottonmouth on record was just over 74 inches, and it was found “in the Dismal Swamp region near the Virginia-North Carolina line,” according to the Virginia Herpetological Society.

What's the deadliest snake in the United States?

Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)

The eastern diamondback is the largest of all North American venomous snakes, and it is arguably the most deadly. It has the largest fangs of any rattlesnake species in the world, a very high venom yield, and an absolutely devastating potency.

25 related questions found

Which is more poisonous copperhead or water moccasin?

The cottonmouth (also known as the water moccasin) bite is much more dangerous and harmful to humans than the bite of the closely related copperhead, but rarely leads to death.

What happens if you get bit by a water moccasin?

Being bitten and injected with cottonmouth venom can lead to "temporary and/or permanent tissue and muscle damage; loss of an extremity, depending on the location of the bite; internal bleeding; and extreme pain around the injection area," Viernum added.

How serious is a cottonmouth bite?

Cottonmouth bites are very dangerous. Their venom causes immense swelling and pain while causing tissue damage. This can cause loss of arms and legs and even death. A cottonmouth bite often comes with extra infections since the snake eats carrion and accessed your bloodstream with its fangs.

How long will a water moccasin get?

They are large – typically 24 - 48 in (61 - 122 cm), occassionally larger, keeled-scaled, heavy-bodied snakes. Their coloration is highly variable: they can be beautifully marked with dark crossbands on a brown and yellow ground color or completely brown or black.

Will water moccasins climb trees?

Water Moccasins typically bask on land, stumps, or logs near the water surface, and only occasionally climb to low limbs when access is afforded by vines or a gradually sloping branch. Water Snakes are very agile climbers and spend a great deal of time basking on the limbs of shrubs and trees overhanging the water.

What snake kills the most humans every year?

Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus). The saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) may be the deadliest of all snakes, since scientists believe it to be responsible for more human deaths than all other snake species combined.

What three states have no snakes?

Similarly, the northernmost bits of Russia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Canada, and the US have no native snakes, and the southernmost tip of South America is serpent-less as well. That makes Alaska one of two states to be snake-free, the other being Hawaii.

Which snake bite kills fastest?

The black mamba, for example, injects up to 12 times the lethal dose for humans in each bite and may bite as many as 12 times in a single attack. This mamba has the fastest-acting venom of any snake, but humans are much larger than its usual prey so it still takes 20 minutes for you to die.

How long do you have after a water moccasin bite?

Patients presenting after a cottonmouth bite should undergo observation for eight hours post-envenomation. If there are no physical or hematologic signs within eight hours, then the patient can be discharged home.

What's the difference between a cottonmouth and a water moccasin?

Cottonmouth, Water Moccasin – One and the Same

Although many people believe that water moccasins are distinct from cottonmouth snakes, the truth is that they are one and the same. Regardless of what it's called, all subspecies of this snake are venomous but not particularly aggressive.

What US state has the most snakes?

California: 33

It is home to more than 33 snake species, and many are endemic to the state.

How far can a water moccasin strike?

Full-grown cottonmouths can approach six feet in length but many are smaller, usually three- to-four feet. The snake characteristically holds its head at an angle of 45 degrees and can detect movement for a distance of at least fifty feet.

Can you eat a water moccasin?

Well, yes you can definitely eat a water moccasin. Even though the snake can cause a deadly reaction if its venom spreads. Eating venomous snake meat as such can be tricky. Most people prefer not to eat these snakes, in case the venom remains in the body and is ingested via the meat.

Are all water moccasins poisonous?

But are water moccasins poisonous or dangerous to humans? While they are not poisonous to touch or eat, cottonmouth bites are highly venomous and can kill humans. Their venom is deadly, and their bite can cause severe complications if not treated immediately.

Can dogs survive a water moccasin bite?

bull snake, garden snake or racer snake} and although these bites are painful and could cause infection, they are not fatal. However, if your dog should encounter a venomous snake {ie. Copperhead, rattlesnake or water moccasin} then the venom could kill a dog within an hour unless you give first aid immediately.

Are water moccasin bites fatal?

Cottonmouth venom is potent and can be fatal to humans, even though bites are uncommon. Anyone who has been bitten by a cottonmouth (Agkistrodon Piscivorus) must seek medical help right away.

Do dogs survive copperhead bites?

In general, dogs recover quite well from Copperhead bites and although the snakes are very dangerous, the bite is rarely fatal.

Are water moccasins aggressive?

Cottonmouths, also called water moccasins, have a fearsome reputation due in part to their propensity to stand their ground and flash the white insides of their mouths when threatened.

How do I get rid of water moccasins in my pond?

Identifying and Controlling Water Snakes

  1. Remove, trim and maintain shoreline grasses and emergent plants – this will reduce the habitat for the snakes.
  2. Control the food source – stock fish to eat frog eggs and tadpoles, use barn cats or other methods to control mice.
  3. Use a deterrent such as sulfur.

Which is worse rattlesnake or cottonmouth?

A bite from either a cottonmouth or a timber rattlesnake is enough to warrant a trip to the hospital. But, out of the two, the timber rattlesnake's bite is much more serious. While both species use hemotoxic venom, the timber rattlesnake's venom is more likely to cause serious complications, or even death, in humans.