What feature helps distinguish pit vipers like the Eastern Cottonmouth?

Pit vipers, including the Eastern Cottonmouth, are distinguished by their unique heat-sensing pits located between their eyes and nostrils. These specialized structures are highly sensitive to infrared radiation, allowing the snakes to detect the body heat of their warm-blooded prey even in complete darkness. This adaptation enhances their ability to hunt effectively, as they can accurately locate and strike at prey based on heat signatures.

While long fangs are a characteristic of venomous snakes, not all venomous snakes possess them, and this feature is not exclusive to pit vipers. Bright colors can be found in various snake species for different reasons, such as warning coloration or camouflage, but they are not a definitive characteristic of pit vipers specifically. Short tails may vary among different snake species and do not serve as a distinguishing feature for identifying pit vipers like the Eastern Cottonmouth.