This afternoon I came upon a gorgeous adult cottonmouth crossing my path and I stopped to admire from a respectful distance for a little while, as I always do. You can see this snake pause when it notices my presence and then calmly turn to head in the opposite direction.
Most people who live in the range of the water moccasin will grow up hearing wives tales about this species aggressively chasing humans whenever they get the chance. Everybody always “knows someone who knows someone” who it happened to, yet nobody ever actually seems to witness this chase behavior in person. The myth likely started from a misunderstanding or mischaracterization of snake behavior, as these shy reptiles have zero interest in hunting an enormous ape that is 100x their size for fun. Scientific study has shown these venomous snakes bite only as an absolute last resort, with many choosing not to bite even when directly handled.
When I discuss the “cottonmouths don’t chase people” thing with folks that are determined to believe it, they often dismissively imply that I must not spend much time outdoors around snakes. In point of fact, I’ve been drawn to snakes and seeking them out since I was a kid and I’ve never witnessed the aggression that is supposedly characteristic of this species, despite crossing paths with them many times. I am always cautious and respectful when I see these snakes, and I am always glad to have seen them.
Cottonmouths are potentially dangerous wildlife that deserve space and respect, but that doesn’t mean we should allow people to paint them as mindlessly aggressive monsters that will run down any human that crosses their path. I don’t care if you heard a great story from your aunt’s neighbor about how he was definitely chased by one, this behavior simply does not exist in the way people say it does!
