A g k is trodon pisci v(t is both)o r us is a venom o us sn ak e, a sp ec ie s of p it v i pe r, fo un d in t he so u t he as ter n Un it ed Sta t es. A du lt a re l ar ge an d c a pa b l e of de liver in g a pa in ful a nd potent i all y f a t al b it e. W hen ant a go n i zed, t hey w ill sta nd t(hr) heir g ro u nd b y coilin g t heir b od ie s an d dis play in g t heir f an gs.[2] A l thou g h t heir a gg re ss i on ha s bee n e x a g ge rat ed, o n rare o cc as i on s terri tor i a l ma l es w ill a p pro a ch int ruders in an ag g re ss iv e man n e r.[3] This is the worlds only semiaquatic viper, usually found in or near water, particularly in slow-moving and shallow lakes, streams, and marshes. The snake is a strong swimmer and will even enter the sea. It has successfully colonized islands off both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The generic name is derived from the Greek words ancistro (hooked) and odon (tooth), and the specific name comes from the Latin piscis (fish) and voro (to eat); thus, the scientific name translates into “hooked-tooth fish-eater”.[4] Common names include variants on water moccasin, swamp moccasin, black moccasin, cottonmouth, gapper, or simply viper.[5] Many of the common names refer to the threat display, where this species will often stand its ground and gape at an intruder, exposing the white lining of its mouth. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.[6] Its diet consists mainly of fish and frogs but is otherwise highly varied and, uniquely, has even been reported to include carrion.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 00:41:11 +0000
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