Disposition
The number of different opinions expressed in the literature concerning the cottonmouth's disposition is not at all surprising. As with any species there is a wide range of individual temperament, which is affected by many factors. The cottonmouth is considered by some writers to be docile while others consider it to be highly dangerous. Allen and Swindell (1948:7) described the variability in temperament, even among individuals. They wrote: "On rare occasions, moccasins are found which will attack. A perfectly docile snake will turn and bite viciously without any apparent reason." They also recounted a case in which a cottonmouth was kept as a pet for six years, being allowed the freedom of the house. Smith and List (1955:123) found them "... surprisingly docile in the gulf region [Mississippi], displaying none of the pugnacity of more northern cottonmouths." Smith (1956:310) stated: "Unlike the copperhead, cottonmouths are pugnacious; their powerful jaws, long fangs, vicious disposition and potent venom make them a very dangerous animal."
My own observations are in general agreement with the statements of Allen and Swindell (loc. cit.). In my encounters with cottonmouths, I have never found any aggressive individuals except for three juveniles that were born in captivity. In their first three days in the laboratory these juveniles were observed to strike repeatedly whenever anyone entered the room. After this short period of aggressiveness, however, they slowly became more docile. The disposition shown by the newborn young is clearly an innate behavioral pattern that undoubtedly has a direct relationship to survival. The majority of cottonmouths that I have approached in the field have moved swiftly to seek refuge in nearby water; a few have remained motionless as I approached, and one showed the typical threat display. Upon capture and handling, they react similarly to other pit-vipers by opening and closing the mouth and erecting the fangs in an attempt to bite. They often bite through the lower jaw and eject venom at this time as well as when the mouth is open. Of more than a dozen individuals kept in captivity, four were particularly difficult to handle whereas another was extremely docile. It was almost never found in aggregations with the other snakes and did not struggle or attempt to bite when handled. The majority remained unpredictable in disposition, usually appearing docile and lazy but capable of extremely rapid movements when disturbed.