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cottonmouth question.
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by copperheadkid15 on June 8, 2005
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cottonmouth question.
Hello everyone, I know its been a while since I was here. the computers been on the Fritz. wile the comp was down I have been herping and working on my herp room. I don't know how many of you know this but had a very nice hot building, that got took over. I have recently finished turning a room previously used for storage into a hot room. ( sealing off vents, windows etc.) today wile herping I caught a 2.5 foot eastern cottonmouth and decided to give keeping hots another try. only problem is I can not find any care information for them. If any one can help I will apriciate it.
thanks ,Randy
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RE: cottonmouth question.
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by Cro on June 8, 2005
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Randy: Cottonmouths are not very difficult to keep. Just set it up in a good sized cage, give it a hide box, and don't let it get too damp, as this invites fungus infections of the skin. Just give it a medium sized water bowl. If you use a larger water bowl that it can soak in, it will be constantly messing in the water, and you will be changing the water a lot.
Try to feed it mice, and not frogs and fish, to avoid parasites. It should feed very readily on mice or small rats. JohnZ
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RE: cottonmouth question.
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by timberrattlesnake89 on June 8, 2005
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They seem to be kept mostly like copperheads. I would say spray the cage atleast twice a week. Add some moss to keep some humidity in the cage. Most will take mice right off the bat but some might not. Since they are oppitunistic feeders there is a better chance of getting it to eat. One thing about cottonmouth that is different than a lot of snakes is that they will come down very quickly in captivity even though there are exceptions. Almost every cottonmouth I know which is in captivity will let you handle and take care with ease.
Goodluck,
Phillip
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RE: cottonmouth question.
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by Dadee on June 9, 2005
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John and Philip,
I have a bulldog of a cotton. She's by far the nastiest cottonmouth I've ever seen. Just opening the lock on the door to my hot room stirs her, then once the door opens, she's ready to strike. This is one nasty b@#%*! I do have to keep her humidity up do to her very dry skin. I've also had to do this with my coppers as well. Just prior to the shed, I'll raise that humidity up into the upper 90 percentile. If I don't she'll wind up with small flakes of skin peeling and then it becomes quite annoying to her.
I also keep a good size watering dish in her enclosure to simulate the natural environment that they would encounter. Her pooping in the water is quite alright with me, but not giving her the needed space to "soak herself", is something I would feel quite uncomfortable with.
I've had much success with feeding mice to her. She never fails to inhale 3 med. mice per feeding. I do have to be extremely diligent with her however due to her disposition. She'll be out of the enclosure in record time, striking the air as she goes. This cottonmouth is not unlike the typical "stand up and show yourself" WDB's. My GG tongs are by far my best tool when dealing with her, cause she will NOT ride a hook, cause she'll always try to get off of it and come at me.
My cottons that I've kept in the past have been similar, although not as nasty as this one...they would ride hooks, but I had to keep watch also as they would strike at anything that entered their enclosures. The coppers I've had, were extremely easy to handle in comparison...they would never strike and never really soaked themselves...but I would at least give them a bath on occassion.
I would almost swear that this cotton I have now is mixed with a Jumping Viper...she'll leap in every direction and I do mean leap. She doesn't turn her head in the direction of the strike before lunging but always manages to hit her mark. She can be found under her hide rock a good 65% of the time (I look through the viewing window prior to coming into the room...this she can't see, except for the mirrors). As soon as I can get her to stop striking, I'll open up the enclosure and fling in her mouse, which she'll tag immediately...then stalk it down.
Hope this helps someone.
Cheers,
Matt
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RE: cottonmouth question.
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by timberrattlesnake89 on June 9, 2005
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Dadee,
My copperhead sound like your cottonmouth. He is the most agressive one I have seen yet. If i even get near his cage his tail starts rattleing and strikeing. I have caught plenty in the wild but no were ever this mean.He has bite my hook several time while trying to get him out for cleaning. If I ever got bit by him it would not be a dry bite. I have never seen one this aggresive.
Phillip
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RE: cottonmouth question.
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by forester on June 10, 2005
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Hey Copperheadkid it was nice making your acquaintance yesterday. I wish you well with your new found reptile. Stay safe!! The link I suggested was www.dfr.state.nc.us Take care
Forester
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