A cottonmouth doesn't really have diamond patterns. Definitely sounds like rat snakes. The coloration of Texas rat snake varies a bit by location. Copperhead snakes (Agkistrodon contortrix) are the most populated venomous snakes in the United States. These snakes have extreme musking abilities and are usually the “moccasin” most people claim they can smell before seeing in Southeast Texas. Unless you are a professional, do not attempt to catch snakes. This venomous Water Moccasin has an obviously thick, (top to bottom) blocky head. Website created to assist in the identification of snakes in North Texas.

Most cottonmouths are smaller than that and if one does get to 5 feet it is extremely thick. They would rarely ever stick around a chicken coop. It intergrades with other subspecies of Elaphe obsoleta, so exact range boundaries are impossible to distinguish. This website can help with the identification of snakes of North TX like Cottonmouth, water moccasin, rat snake, TX ratsnake, Watersnake. Most cottonmouths stay very close to water and feed on frogs and fish. Snakes belong to one of two categories: venomous or non-venomous. However, by killing the snake they greatly increased their chances of being bitten--it is always best to leave snakes alone!) When threatened by humans, Texas and black ratsnakes will immediately attempt to bite their opponents. Even though there is anti-venom available and even though there is the possibility that a fatal bite could happen, the chances are you’ll survive (but you won’t soon forget the experience). The Cottonmouth loves to prey on black rat snakes, leopard frogs, bass, catfish, least shrews, and young snapping turtles. If you are a resident of the southeastern United States, then you are used to seeing the Cottonmouth and the Copperhead and you know well enough to leave these two snakes alone. In the list of its preys, turtles, frogs, eggs, snakes, birds, carrion, and insects are present.

The male Cottonmouths try to attract the female Cottonmouths by slithering in the form of combat dance. While the snakes in central Texas are yellower, the ones in eastern Texas are grayer. A snake encounter can be an alarming experience, especially if you are uncertain of its type. Texas rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri Or Pantherophis obsoleta lindheimeri) Picture of a Texas Rat Snake. The Texas rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta lindheimeri) is a subspecies of rat snake, a nonvenomous colubrid found in the United States, primarily within the state of Texas, but its range extends into Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. (Note: this photo was sent to us by an Extension client who needlessly killed the snake and asked that we confirm that it was a venomous species. Because they also spend much of their time in the water, these snakes may be difficult to identify at first glance.

If you assume that all snakes are dangerous, you are less likely to be bitten. How does the Cottonmouth Snake Reproduce? These snakes, like the northern water snake, broad-banded water snake, yellow-bellied water snake and the Mississippi green water snake can superficially resemble a cottonmouth due to their dark, dull coloration, rough scales and the uniform bands around their bodies.

They hang around chicken coops to eat the rats and mice that are attracted to them. All Texas rat snakes have orange skin underneath their scales. Their bellies are gray or white while their heads are gray. North TX snakes can be difficult to ID.