Water moccasin snakes, commonly referred to as cottonmouths, are found throughout the Southeastern United States. They are primarily found from Virginia, down to Florida and across to eastern Texas.
Though they can be found in fields, water moccasins usually reside in, along or near bodies of water. These snakes prefer streams, ponds, swamps, marshes and drainage ditches.
They typically spend their days basking in the sun on rocks or branches along bodies of water. Cottonmouths do this because they must maintain high body temperatures in order to efficiently digest food. They are most active at night while they are hunting. These snakes are usually not aggressive unless threatened.
