Parasites and Diseases
Allen and Swindell (1948:12) listed several diseases and parasites of snakes and stated that "some moccasins captured in the woods are so poor and weak from parasitic infection that they can barely crawl." The only kind of ectoparasite found on captive cottonmouths in the course of my study was a snake mite, Ophionyssus natricus. An infestation of that mite was thought to be partly responsible for the death of one captive moccasin. Other moccasins spent increasing amounts of time in their water dish after they became infected with mites. Under natural conditions frequent swimming probably keeps cottonmouths nearly free of mites.
Endoparasites found included lung flukes, stomach nematodes, and tapeworms. Lung flukes (Ochetosoma sp.) were found in 16 of 20 captive cottonmouths. Snails and frogs serve as intermediate hosts for various stages in the life cycle of these flukes. The high percentage of cottonmouths infested with flukes is indicative of the use of frogs as a major source of food. Less than ten flukes were usually observed in the snakes' mouths but occasionally more were seen. One snake was observed thrashing about in its cage for nearly an hour, after which time it died. Upon examination of the mouth, 32 flukes were found, most of which were located in the Jacobson's organs. Whether or not flukes caused the death is not known. Nematodes (Kalicephalus sp.) were found in the stomach of each of several preserved specimens; most of these snakes had no food in their digestive tracts. In a high percentage of the moccasins, tapeworms (Ophiotaenia sp.) were in the duodenum, in many instances so tightly packed as seemingly to prevent passage of food. The importance of fish in the diet is reflected by the high percentage of snakes containing tapeworms. An unidentified cyst (?) about an inch long and containing two hooks on one end was found attached to the outer wall of the stomach of a cottonmouth. Yamaguti (1958) listed all the kinds of helminths known from cottonmouths.