Cottonmouth sunning before the last snow

Anyone know if it's true that pit viper musk smells like cantaloupe?

I guess that would explain why the common name for American Cantaloupe is Muskmelon.

these snakes are pretty. I used to be a commercial diver and we had this job at the draw bridge in Elizabeth City a few years ago. Everytime we headed underneath the bridge we saw them laying out in the sun on the riverside fenders. They get impressively big though.. big enough to have lots of respect for them..

Copperheads have the more distinctive Oder…cottonmouths just stink, period…don’t smell like anything other than cottonmouth.

Funny Don, my VP was over at Back Bay today to organize a herp survey for this spring and he told me he had to move a Cottonmouth that was basking (at the end of January) from the path. Methinks this will be a good field herpin' year.

Ahhh, Poison and Venom, subject I'm passionate about. Funny thing I like to say, poisonous mushrooms don't have fangs!!!

BlackboxStar wrote:

Anyone know if it's true that pit viper musk smells like cantaloupe?

I guess that would explain why the common name for American Cantaloupe is Muskmelon.

I've never put these two together. But I will tell you what IS a very unique and stinky snake... NERODIA (water snakes).... ugh....

leftoflarry wrote:

I will tell you what IS a very unique and stinky snake... NERODIA (water snakes).... ugh....

Agreed, they win! I actually kind of like the odor of cottonmouths, never bothered me really... Whenever I clean their cage it's not a big deal, it can be a strong smell but not that bad... What really stinks way more is water snakes and garter snakes!! Yuck...

To us field guys (and gals) snake musk is the sweet smell of success!