Can a Cottonmouth moccasin strike while in the water onto the bank. Is it likely, if so, how far?
I fish in a private pond. 3+ foot cottonmouth does not fear me or like me. While bank fishing he will come to the edge of the bank & coil up, head out of water. Will he try to strike me if I stay fishing on the edge of the pond or is he just trying to scare me off.
Most snakes have a tolerance range. This is a distance that you can be in where it will tolerate you, and past that point, they will be prone to strike. A cottonmouth can easily strike form the water to the bank if it is above water. From what I know, they will not strike underwater, so if they are not submerged, try to keep your distance. I suggest that you just try to avoid it at all costs,because you do not want to expereince the bite of a cottonmouth, I’m not tlking form experience, Im talking from sanity! hahaha. Try not to make sudden movements around it, I know it sounds like the old clichet, "dont make any sudden movements" but its true, they can be startled into striking if you arent careful. If it is a 3 foot snake, then its strike distance is at least 1 foot long, and possibly a little more. Cottonmouths will curl up and show you the white lining of their mouths when they feel threatened (hence the name) so this is a good sign that youve come too close…thats when you take about 10 steps back to be sure…
It is possible that the female is carrying babies, and if you get too close, it will be very edgy…..this could be dangerous.
So happy fishing, and watch your step! I hope that answered your question!
Cottonmouth is THE snake that does not need to coil like the diamondback. He can just lunge. Sneaky, because he doesn’t have a rattle, he can swim and he’s the same color as a green river. I say this after living outside Houston for 10 years. Saw a news report about a plumber starting to crawl under a house and he no chance.