Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) (origin: The south-eastern USA – swamps and water margins). Adult size around 80–130 cm. Life expectancy 15–20 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Cottonmouth: How big does the enclosure need to be?
150×80×60 cm.
Cottonmouth: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 33–35 °C, at night 18–22 °C.
Cottonmouth: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: UVB recommended.
Cottonmouth: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–20 years.
Cottonmouth: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 25–30 °C
- Night temperature
- 18–22 °C
- Basking spot
- 33–35 °C
- Humidity
- 60–80 %
- UVB
- UVB recommended
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 150×80×60 cm
- Substrate
- Damp substrate, a large water basin with access
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen-thawed mice and rats, fish
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 80–130 cm
- Life expectancy
- 15–20 years
- Origin
- The south-eastern USA – swamps and water margins
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – a dangerous animal under German state law
- Brumation
- A cooler rest of 8–10 weeks
- Cohabitation
- Keep them singly. Snakes are solitary and do not seek company — a shared hide is competition for the best spot, not social behaviour. The concrete reason is the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other along with it. On top of that, once they are kept together you can no longer tell which animal has eaten and which is losing weight. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.
Notes
Semi-aquatic; it swims and hunts in the water – it needs a large, securely covered water basin. When threatened it shows the white inside of its mouth.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Cantil (Agkistrodon bilineatus) – Expert
- Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) – Expert
- Savanna vine snake (Thelotornis capensis) – Expert
- Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) – Expert
- Egyptian saw-scaled viper (Echis pyramidum) – Expert
- Barnett's lancehead (Bothrops barnetti) – Expert
- Usambara bush viper (Atheris ceratophora) – Expert
- Ottoman viper (Montivipera xanthina) – Expert
What you need to start
To keep Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×80×60 cm), substrate (Damp substrate, a large water basin with access), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 8 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: Reptile Database: Agkistrodon piscivorus - Reproduction – https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Agkistrodon&species=piscivorus, Wikipedia: Cottonmouth, ovoviviparous – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cottonmouth, https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Agkistrodon_piscivorus/, https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agkistrodon_piscivorus, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agkistrodon_piscivorus
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).