Water muzzle - a description of where it lives, features

An obvious representative of the viper family is the muzzle. The reptile of this species got its name due to the presence of characteristic shields in the head area. This is not to say that this species is very dangerous, but due to the toxicity of meeting with it should be avoided. Today's material is dedicated to the water representative of the family. We will study the important features, nutrition, distribution and characteristics.

Description

1. The individuals of this species have distinctive characteristics. Identify that you have a dangerous viper in front of you, by narrowed pupils. They are located vertically, literally signaling with their malicious gaze about toxicity. If the pupils are round, then there is no danger, although the bite can be painful.
2. As for overall features, reptiles stretch to a length of up to 70 cm. Another 10 cm are allotted to the tail, it is shortened and cannot be seen enough. More than 23 rows of scales are conveniently located on the body. The case format is flattened, which is especially noticeable when looking at the snake from above.
3. The head is spotty, stands out against the rest of the body, since the transition to the neck is clearly visible. The muzzle in the lower section rises. There is a hole under the eye sockets that makes this look even more intimidating.
4. This hole allows muzzle birds to catch heat. Such a sensory organ is not characteristic of some other reptiles. There is a strip of dark tone on the head, so the individuals are somewhat similar to snakes. The abdominal section is brighter than the rest of the body. The abdomen is gray-yellow, there are small spots.
5. The back is pigmented in brown or brown, strips stand out in the form of many beveled lines. Shchitomordniki painted in one color can catch the eye. But this is a rarity.

Spread

1. These individuals are not classified as rare categories, and therefore are common in different parts of the globe. A large number of reptiles lives in China, the Far East, Korea, Mongolia, Iran.
2. As for the choice of landscape, water representatives of the species are not too picky in this regard. They inhabit flooded plains and pastures, can settle near lakes, rivers, and other water sources. They love swampy areas and desert areas.
3. Some bold representatives of the species rise to a height of 3.5 km. above sea level. There are individuals in the eastern and southern parts of the United States of America.
4. All muzzles are similar to each other, and therefore their habitat can not be called too scattered. As for poisonousness, a person will not die if he is bitten by an viper, but it is better not to allow meetings. If the snake attacks, it will be painful and bloody.

Lifestyle

1. Reptiles display aggression if they cannot retreat. Often these snakes meet travelers. It is the onlookers who do not take special care in unfamiliar areas. Often people simply do not notice the snakes under their feet and simply step on them.
2. Keep in mind that such animals always shake their tail before an attack. In the wild, vipers already have enough natural enemies. Often, such snakes are attacked by owls, kites, loonies, jays, hawk bugs, white-tailed eagles and crows.
3. In addition, water moths are afraid of harzu, raccoon dogs and badgers. People also did not pass over the reptiles in question. The fact is that in eastern cuisine snake meat is a delicacy. In addition, dried meat and poison of individuals is in demand in pharmacology.
4. The activity of these individuals strongly depends on their habitat. Most often, it manifests itself in the afternoon in the spring or in the fall.As for the summer period, snakes are preferred to crawl out after sunset. In the northern and mountainous regions, reptiles lead a daytime lifestyle. In the southern regions, they creep out at night.
5. As soon as early spring arrives, the mating season begins in water moths. What is most interesting, it continues until the fall. Along the way, reptiles settle among the foots of slopes, rocks, in crevices of stones and cracks in coastal cliffs.
6. At the moment of potential danger, these individuals hide in the burrows of rodents and between stones. They also try to hide in swampy areas and dense thickets. Most often, such reptiles are found in abandoned buildings and cemeteries.

Water moths spend a lot of time in the aquatic environment. As for hunting, the snakes go to search for prey in the evening. Individuals do not fight victims, they bite them quickly and wait for the action of the poison. After this, the snake finds prey and calmly regales.

Video: water moth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)