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.
Moccasins’ SUCK
Like I said, I know from experience cotton mouths will attack during mating season. I experienced it as a teen while working for the soil conservation service surveying a swamp.