However, studies at thr U of VA concluded that a moccasin will not bite even if stepped on. They just want to get away. I won’t test it.
I saw a snake expert say that moccasins will not attack. He clearly knew more about snakes than I do, but I also know he was wrong on that.
I personally witnessed a cottonmouth swim up to and attempt to bite my Brother’s boot. We were in a boat in a swamp. Our Cousin saw it just in time and whacked it with an oar. That snake absolutely was attacking and for no reason.