The copperhead is known as a “Pit Viper Poisonous Snake” and “accounts for the largest number of snake bites in the US every year. Thousands of documented cases of people injured every year and many more pets that are bitten often many of these going unreported”, says Copperhead-Snake.com. Copperheads are pit vipers like rattlesnakes and water moccasins.
Here is some information about this dangerous snake:
Species / Names
“The copperhead or water moccasin (Agkistrodon contortrix) is a venomous snake species endemic to North America. It is a member of the Crotalinae subfamily, the pit vipers, and 5 subspecies are currently recognized. The snake gets its name because of the copper-like coloration present on its head”, states Snake-Facts.
Other names for a copperhead snake are chunk head, death adder, highland moccasin, dry-land moccasin, narrow-banded copperhead, northern copperhead, pilot snake, poplar leaf, red oak, Texas copperhead, Carolina snake, red snake, southeastern copperhead, white oak snake, American copperhead, southern copperhead and cantil cobrizo.
Poisonous
The reason a copperhead snake is called a pit viper is that they are named for the two heat sensing pits used to locate prey that are positioned between their eyes and nostrils. Their venom is hemolytic; it destroys the red corpuscles of the blood and releases the hemoglobin into the surrounding fluid. This hemorrhaging destroys the snake’s normal prey which is mostly small animals.
Inhabits
The copperhead inhabits a variety of different terrains and in Georgia, it hangs out in deciduous forest or mixed woodlands. It is also found in rock outcroppings, ledges and in the low-lying swampy regions. It hibernates from October until late February or early March in a den where they will return year after year. Small copperheads like to hide in a garden, flower beds, cars, porches and decks, etc. and are capable of inflicting a painful and dangerous bite so beware.
Size
Adults usually grow to a total length of 20 to 37 inches (50–95 cm). According to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, female copperheads are longer than males; however, males possess proportionally longer tails.
Color
Usually colorful and have a color pattern that consists of a pale tan to a pinkish tan ground color, overlaid with a series of 10 to 18 light tan to pinkish tan to pale brown crossbands. They have keeled (ridged) scales. Their tail can be a bright, sulfur yellow color. Adults have the copper color head which names it.
Food
They are carnivores. Adults eat mostly mice but also small birds, lizards, small snakes, amphibians and insects‐especially cicadas. Young copperheads eat insects, especially caterpillars.
Personality
They are social animals and like to hibernate in a communal den with other copperheads or other species of snakes. Copperheads can be found close to one another so be aware when you see one snake. There are probably others close by.
Copperhead wait for their prey and are considered an ambush predator, taking up a suitable position and waiting for their prey. But foraging does occur when these snakes feed on insects like caterpillars and freshly molted cicadas, in this case, they actively pursue their prey. They can climb into low bushes or trees hunting for prey or to bask in the sun and are also capable of swimming.
Seasons
They are nocturnal during the hot summer months, but they are commonly active during the day during the spring and fall time. Copperhead hibernates in the winter in communal dens or limestone crevices. They usually return to the same den every year.
Bites
The copperhead bite is not usually fatal in adults, but very painful and often lasting discomfort is the result. 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.
If you see any signs of snakes, call a professional pest control company sooner than later to handle it for you especially if it is a venomous one! See our blog about 6 Venomous Snakes in Georgia for more information.
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