Question:

Can a snake strike or bite underwater?
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Yes! Just as a person can swim and open the mouth to make noise underwater, a snake can go down, close its rear jaw muscles, open its mouth quite large.....and bite effectively! All this without taking on water or drowning. Some snakes feed by capturing their food underwater with a swift strike and a gaping, tooth-filled mouth! There have been incidents with water moccasins where a bite occurred at 25 feet or more under the surface during a scuba outing. If disturbed, they will bite, whether on the surface or while traveling underneath. Many times, the snake will enter the water at the sound or indication of an intruder in their area. There they lay on the bottom as if to avoid contact or being spotted. If accidentally stepped on or bumped, they will assume the worst and often strike out in a normal reaction to attack. By the way, rattlesnakes swim quite well too, and have the capability to bite underwater as well!
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Happy Trails!