return to main index

  mobile - desktop
follow us on facebook follow us on twitter follow us on YouTube link to us on LinkedIn
International Reptile Conservation Foundation  
click here for Rodent Pro
This Space Available
3 months for $50.00
Locate a business by name: click to list your business
search the classifieds. buy an account
events by zip code list an event
Search the forums             Search in:
News & Events: Herp Photo of the Day: Happy Rattlesnake Friday! . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day: Garter Snake . . . . . . . . . .  Tucson Herpetological Society Meeting - Nov 25, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Greater Cincinnati Herp Society Meeting - Dec 04, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Calusa Herp Society Meeting - Dec 05, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Southwestern Herp Society Meeting - Dec 07, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Kentucky Reptile Expo - Dec. 07, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  St. Louis Herpetological Society - Dec 08, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Chicago Herpetological Society Meeting - Dec 15, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  San Diego Herp Society Meeting - Dec 17, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Colorado Herp Society Meeting - Dec 21, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Bay Area Herpetological Society Meeting - Dec 27, 2024 . . . . . . . . . . 

Reptile and Amphibian Encyclopedia > Snakes > Cantils, Copperheads & Cottonmouths

Cantils, Copperheads & Cottonmouths

Agkistrodon is a genus of venomous pit vipers found in North America from the United States south to northern Costa Rica. The name is derived from the Greek words ancistro, meaning "hook" and odon, which means "tooth", and is likely a reference to the fangs. Three species are currently recognized, all of them polytypic and closely related. Members of this genus have a number of features in common. All species have a relatively broad head with short fangs. A loreal scale is present, except in A. piscivorus. There are usually nine large symmetrical platelike scales on the crown of the head, but in all species these are often irregularly fragmented or have sutures, especially in A. bilineatus. All have a sharply defined canthus rostralis and a vertically elliptical pupil. There are 6-10 (usually 8) supralabial scales and 8-13 (usually 10-11) sublabials. The dorsal scales are mostly keeled and at midbody number 21-25 (usually 23), while A. piscivorus has 23-27 (usually 25). There are 127-157 ventral scales and 36-71 subcaudals. Of the latter, some may be divided. The anal scale is single. All have a color pattern of 10-20 dark crossbands on a lighter ground color, although sometimes the crossbands are staggered as half bands on either side of the body.

Cantils

Copperheads

Cottonmouths

Sponsored Link
International Reptile Conservation Foundation
advertise here

New & Updated Business Listings

Looking for a reptile or amphibian related business? A reptile store, breeder, importer, maunfacturer or supplier? Our business directory lists some of the most popluar herp businesses in the world.
Locate a reptile or amphibian business by name:
New
• Predator Foods
• Kentucky Reptile Expo
• Apet Inc.
• Jungle Bob's Reptile World
• International Reptile Conse...
• Florida Iguana & Totortoise...
• LLL Reptile - San Diego
• LLL Reptile - Peoria
• LLL Reptile - Menifee
• LLL Reptile - Las Vegas
Updated
• California Zoological Suppl...
• Florida Iguana & Totortoise...
• Xtreme Exotics
• The Big Cheese Rodent Facto...
• Northwest Zoological Supply
• Mouse Works LLC
• International Reptile Conse...
• Jungle Bob's Reptile World
• ETHS Conference and Expo
• Indian River Reptile Zoo
list your business on kingsnake.com

Banner Pool

Zeigler RQ18-6 for Rat and Mouse Colonies
$100.year special flat rate banner! - click for info