Cottonmouth, Florida

This is a close-up of a Florida Cottonmouth's (Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti) pattern and scales. It was on display at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. They are also known as; Cottonmouth Moccasin, Water Moccasin, or simply Moccasin. Their paired “apical scale pits” are easy to see in a couple of places. Look at the portion of the snake that runs from the left edge of the photograph, to a bend in the snake's body. In the places where the apical scale pits are easy to see, they appear to be a white colon (:) at the posterior edge of the snakes scale. Some scientists think that the pits prevent premature loosening of the skin. It is though that they hold the outer layer of skin to the body surface, while it is completely loosened by a fluid that is secreted between the layers. Once the loosening process is complete, the shedding commences, and the skin breaks loose at each of the apical pits. Some scientists think the term apical scale pit is inappropriate, and use the term “apical stigmata.”