It's early dawn in a swamp. A large snake has spent the night hunting for fish and frogs in the ponds and streams. The snake is a cottonmouth—the only venomous water snake in the United States! It swims to the shore and slithers onto the land. When daylight breaks, the snake basks on a log, soaking up the sun's warmth to heat its body. Filled with information perfectly suited to the abilities and interests of its primary-grade audience, this colorful, fact-filled book gives readers a chance not only to learn all about cottonmouth snakes and their swamp habitat, but also to develop their powers of observation and critical thinking. Built-in activities, such as guessing how the snake got its name and comparing the physical characteristics of adult and young snakes, give readers a chance to gain insights beyond the facts and figures.