Copperhead

The Copperhead is a stout-bodied snake that feeds on cicadas, caterpillars, mice, birds, frogs and lizards. It prefers to live in wooded areas, among rocks, or near streams or ponds because prey are more plentiful in such locations. Favorite hiding places include stone walls, sawdust, mulch or compost piles, and and under decaying stumps, in wood piles, under abandoned building debris, and under large flat stones. This snake will be seen basking during the day when weather is cool but not cold. During summer heat, it will stay hidden during the day and become active at night. In October the Copperhead retreats to its underground den to hibernate until late February or early March. Dens are most often in rocky hillsides with southern or eastern exposure to the sun. These "snake dens" will be returned to year after year and may contain a large number of snakes. In late summer through mid-October, between 1 and 14 young are born alive rather than hatched from eggs.

HOW DANGEROUS ARE COPPERHEAD SNAKES?

A Copperhead snake bite needs medical attention, is extremely painful, and may cause extensive scarring and loss of use. Many people are bitten while trying to kill or handle the snake. Don't take chances -- avoid these snakes.

"Copperhead bites are typically not fatal," says Dr. Peter Bromley, N. C. Cooperative Extension Specialist in Zoology. Small animals, like small dogs, may receive a fatal bite from a copperhead. The venom causes local tissue destruction and secondary infection often sets in. If you or your pet are bitten by any snake that you suspect is venomous, get medial attention immediately. For the most part, if you let snakes alone, they'll leave you alone.

North Carolina has the dubious distinction of the most venomous snake bites of any state in the U.S. Many of these bites could be prevented by avoiding the snake instead of trying to kill it or pick it up. Avoid Copperhead snakes! Allow it to go on its way undisturbed. Copperheads bite more people in most years than any other U.S. species, but they also have the mildest venom. University of Georgia Professor Dr. Whit Gibbons is conducting research to learn why copperheads inflict the most bites.

All the snake species tested have had the same initial response to human presence. If given the opportunity, they escape--down a hole, under a ledge, or in the case of cottonmouths, into the water. Escape is even the standard behavior of enormous diamondback rattlesnakes, which will immediately disappear if they have enough warning before they think a person can reach them.

But often escape is not possible, so most snakes hold their ground, ready to defend themselves. A difference between copperheads and the other species appears in the next phase, when they are approached. Most rattlesnakes vibrate their tails and most cottonmouths sit with mouth open when a human comes near. Even some non-venomous snakes vibrate their tails. These displays are merely warnings not to tread on them. They are not aggressive attack measures. The snakes just want us to leave them alone.

So far, the dozens of cottonmouths Dr. Gibbons stood beside have made threat displays but have not bitten the researcher's boot. The same has been true for canebrake rattlesnakes although too few have been tested to declare that they are as passive as cottonmouths. The exciting news (at least for the researchers) is that the copperhead is different from the others. Most copperheads tested have struck out immediately when they felt threatened.

This behavior explains why more people receive legitimate snakebites from copperheads than from any other species of venomous snake in North America. Still to be investigated is another aspect of copperhead bites: many are not serious enough to require more than minor medical treatment. This may be so not only because the venom of a copperhead is significantly less potent than that of rattlesnakes or cottonmouths, but also because they seldom inject much venom.

The copperhead's initial threat display is to strike. It lashes out at an enemy as a warning. If the enemy is close enough, the fangs may penetrate the skin. However, because this is a threat display, not an attempt to kill, the snake injects little venom. A copperhead has no intention of wasting valuable venom if it can scare away the menace with a minor bite.

Keep in mind, however, that even a non-fatal bite needs medical attention, is extremely painful, and may cause extensive scarring and loss of use. Don't take chances-- avoid these snakes.

What Does A Copperhead (snake) Look Like?

Copperheads are one of the most poisonous snakes when it bites. They can be identified by the triangle head and copper bands merged with white and brownish color bands. Copperhead's eyes look like cat eyes. Their head is wider as compare to normal snake. Mature snakes can be 2 to 3 feet long. Baby copperheads look like grown up adult snakes but have yellow colored tails. A copperhead den in the winter is in rock ledge where they can crawl into the hill in order to stay warm.

Copperhead snakes are likely found in high grass, trash and vines. They freeze when danger is near so it is easy to step on them. They only attack when they left with no other option. Their bite is very painful and may damage the tissue if not treated on time.

Some common symptoms of copperheads bite include puncture marks, fang marks, swelling and redness near the bite, sweating, vomiting, nausea and pain near the bite. The majority bites are extremely hurting within 5-10 minutes and after that startswelling.

Copperheads are calm snakes that do not normally strike unless they feel threatened. Their normal adult size is in the 2-3 foot range, and their venom is very mild compared to the other north american pitvipers.

The best course of action if you happen to encounter one is leave it alone. Most people are bitten while trying to catch them or kill them.

How Can I Tell It's A Copperhead Snake?

"The Copperhead comes in
several color variations, depending on the location, from bright copper
and light through to very dark brown shades.
Copperheads
are usually colorful and strikingly patterned snakes. The background
color of the back and sides is tan to pinkish. There are darker,
chestnut colored bands across the back and sides. Each hourglass shaped
band is of varying width.
Newborn
Copperheads are colored and patterned like adults, excepting the last
inch of so of the tail which will be a bright, sulfur yellow color.
Virtually all adult still retain the copper color head, which gives it its name.
When adult they are moderately sized snakes, normally reaching 2–4 feet, with thick, heavy bodies.
The copperhead bite is not usually fatal in adults, but very painful and often lasting discomfort is the result.
Parents
who have seen their children go through the pain and suffering a
copperhead bite can cause; it is something nobody would wish to
experience again.
Bite
symptoms include intense pain, tingling, throbbing, swelling, and
severe nausea. Damage can occur to muscle and bone tissue, especially
when the bite occurs in the outer extremities such as the hands and
feet, areas in which there is not a large muscle mass to absorb the
venom."

Can A Copperhead Snake Be Blue?

Most snakes will have a hazy, or smoky-gray appearance when they are getting ready to shed, but as far as being bright blue, no, not a Copperhead. Even when in shed Copperheads will still have that distinctive pattern.

What Are The Adaptations Of A Copperhead Snake?

Scales that keep its skin from drying out.