Seymore wrote:Moccasins comprise the genus Agkistrodon, which includes the cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) and copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) in the southeastern United States. Any of the subspecies of Agkistrodon then are Moccasins. Through colloquial use, moccasin has been used to refer to the cottonmouth exclusively. However, the cottonmouth is not technically the only member of the moccasin family.
Agkistrodon genus are snakes that are pit vipers. Agkistrodon is greek for "fish hook" which refers to the shape of their teeth. Not "moccasin family". Cottonmouths and copperheads are the common pit vipers in the area that fall under this genus. But they are in no way classified as "moccasin subspecies". The scientific name for cottonmouth or water moccasin is Agkistrodon piscivorus. Search any herpatology article and it will always be Cottonmouth and then AKA Water moccasin. The name of Water Moccasin came from the leathery feel of the cottonmouths skin that resembled and the fact that cottonmouths can be found in water.
Here is yet another link to further explaining that water moccasin = cottonmouth and only COTTONMOUTH
http://www.natureatcloserange.com/2008/ ... casin.html
and another explaining that Agkistrodon piscivorus = Water moccasin/Cottonmouth.
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/fl ... ivorus.htm
I encourage you to find me any reputable scientific article that says Water moccasin, or even moccasin for that matter is in reference to anything other than a cottonmouth.