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To be considered an organism is not such a simple thing in the scientific world. There are a few criteria that need to be met before any living thing can even be considered so. These are as follows, that they are made of cells, that they grow and develop, that they reproduce, that they contain genetic instructions, that they respond to their environment and maintain homeostasis, that they use energy, and that they evolve over time.

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The Cottonmouth exemplifies the evolution that occurs in animals over many generations. Despite being Vipers they are one of the few that inhabit waterways. They also have developed a distinctive white mouth overtime hence their name. This is thought to be a defensive function used for survival.

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Cells do not only need instructions to preform their duties; cells also need the resources required to produce the energy that these instructions demand. The Cottonmouth does this by hunting other animals and digesting them to attain the fuel they convert into energy.

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Not only do organisms need to maintain their own bodies as a constant state but they must also be prepared to adapt to the ever-changing environment in which they live. Cottonmouths are a good example in this as they have been reported to migrate across the United States as the seasons change. They also bask in the sun to keep their body temperature at an ideal level.

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For the cells to function with the efficiency needed to maintain a complex organism there needs to be an equally complex genetic instruction. In all organisms you will find the instructions needed for them to function in their DNA which is then passed down to further generations. Cottonmouths act the same as all others in this regard.

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In order to complete a full cycle of growth and development an organism needs to be made through some form of reproduction. Which as an added benefit allows the transfer of the genetic instructions in DNA. While some organisms use an asexual reproduction most animals such as the Cottonmouth have to use a sexual reproduction.

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Like all other organisms the Cottonmouth goes through a life cycle. Certain cells are able to help grow and develop the body by breaking down food through digestion . They are able to do this as a result of pre-planned genetic instructions.

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For the Cottonmouth to function as an animal it requires cells. Cells carry out the specified tasks on the scale needed to form the tissues and organs belonging to an organism.