Agkistrodon piscivorus

Robust semi-aquatic terrarium / paludarium, fully enclosed, LOCKABLE and escape-proof (venomous snake: regulatory safety is the priority).

A large floor area is preferred over height. Provide a vast water area allowing full immersion and swimming, AND a bank/dry zone for warming up and drying the skin. Hides on both sides of the thermal gradient. In France/the EU, keeping a venomous snake requires a certificate of competence and an establishment-opening permit: reserved for authorized keepers.

High humidity but WITH good ventilation and a mandatory dry zone: a stagnant humid environment promotes necrotizing dermatitis ('blister disease') and scale rot.

A substrate that retains moisture but is not waterlogged across its whole surface; a dry zone must be maintained at all costs. Clean up droppings quickly (often deposited in the water) to prevent skin infections.

Low to moderate UVB is beneficial (a suitable low-output tube) for well-being and metabolism, without being strictly indispensable if the diet provides vitamin D. Provide a regular day/night cycle and shaded areas.

A large, clean water area, shallow in places, allowing full immersion and swimming (the cottonmouth floats at the surface). Filtration or frequent water changes are essential because the animal often defecates in the water. An accessible dry zone remains mandatory.

Southeastern United States: coastal plains, marshes, swamps, bayous, lake shores and slow-moving waterways, from southeastern Virginia to Texas and Florida.

Opportunistic carnivore (with a piscivorous tendency) — Fish, amphibians (frogs), rodents, other snakes, carrion

In captivity, a base of appropriately sized rodents (mice/rats); fish are possible but avoid feeding thiaminase-rich fish exclusively. Adults are fed at regular intervals, juveniles more often. A species that easily becomes overweight: ration its food. Feed at a distance (long tongs), never by hand.

Reproduction is generally triggered by a winter cooling period (a brumation lasting some months at low temperatures). Litters of live-born neonates. IMPORTANT: the neonates are already fully venomous and dangerous from birth.

• Respiratory infections (often linked to temperatures that are too low or to insufficient ventilation)
• Necrotizing dermatitis / 'blister disease' and scale rot (stagnant humid environment, soiled water)
• Stomatitis (mouth rot)
• Internal and external parasites (common in wild-caught individuals)
• Obesity and associated problems (overfeeding in captivity)