~ 8-15-17~ Copperheads ~ Molting ~ Wild Grapes ~ Perseid ~

Copperheads probably generate more fear, questions and myths than any other species of snake.

Agkistrodon contortrix is a species of venomous snake endemic to Eastern North America, a member of the Crotalinae subfamily. The common name for this species is the copperhead.

Copperheads belong to a sub-family of snakes (crotalinae) known as pit vipers, a group that includes cottonmouths and rattlesnakes. These snakes are named pit vipers because they have infrared-sensing facial pits. These small openings between the eye and nostril on each side of the head assist in locating warm-blooded prey.

Copperheads have a base color of pinkish-tan to brown, which is overlaid with dark brown markings across their backs shaped like a bowtie or hourglass (pinched in the middle and wide on either end). Preferred habitats include open forests, along creeks, rocky hillsides, abandoned farm buildings or lumber piles. Typically, adults will range from 24 inches to 36 inches in length. Copperheads give birth to live young. Young are born in late summer or early fall.

One copperhead myth is that they move in pairs. Copperheads compete with each other for food and space and would much rather have habitats to themselves. Another false copperhead claim is that a young copperhead’s bite is more dangerous than an adult’s. This isn’t true; a young copperhead’s venom has the same potency as an adult’s. What is true about copperheads is that they have a venomous bite that should be respected by all humans. The primary use of a copperhead’s venom is as a hunting tool.