05/30/2026
Some folks swear that “Cottonmouths” or “Water Moccasins” are common along Piedmont streams in their area. The reality is that Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) are not found in the vast majority of the Piedmont (i.e., above the Fall Line), with just a few exceptions of isolated populations (e.g., Wake County, NC). Cottonmouths are, however, widespread in the Coastal Plain.
Rather, what folks are generally seeing in the Piedmont is the widespread and abundant Northern or Common Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) pictured here. They’re easy to find sunning on rocks around ponds, lakes, and streams. If you get close to one, they almost always slither into the water and swim off to cover. They’re just as scared of you as you might be of them. Northern Watersnakes have lots of “attitude” if you grab them (I would too!🤣), but they’re NON-venomous and harmless to people, pets, and livestock. They primarily feed on fish and frogs.
More information is in the comments, including how to distinguish Cottonmouths from a Northern Watersnake and report a Cottonmouth sighting in your area on H**pMapper or the Carolina H**p Atlas.
