Copperhead Snake
Introduction
In eastern parts of the US the Copperhead Snake is the most commonly encountered venomous snakes.
Appearance
The snake, with by the way has the Latin name Agkistrodon contortrix, has dark colored bands of varying width across most of its body except for the tip of their tails, which may look almost greenish or yellowish.
It can reach a size of 40 inches (1.05 meter) but the normal size of the Copperhead is in the range 24 to 36 inches (61-91 cm).
Copperhead snakes eat small rodents, cicadas, birds, lizards, other snakes, frogs and other amphibians, spiders and all sorts of insects. The snake serves an important role in the ecosystem by controlling the population density of its prey. Without the Copperhead Snake and other snakes as well the population size of several species will reach an inexpedient level.
Habitat
Copperheads can be found different kind of places, but they do prefer to live close to water. The abundance of the Copperhead snake in forested areas or suburban areas is relatively large. Copperheads has a habit of lying completely still when threatened, and so they are eradicated in large numbers on roads due to their habit of freezing when danger approaches. This habit of freezing originates from its behavior in its natural habit, where it’s an advantage to remain motionless and wait for the threat to pass by.
Copperhead Snake Bite
Usually the Copperhead don’t bite. However, if you grasp one or get very close to one it will and can bite you. A bite will be used as a last defense against you. The Copperhead was responsible for approximately 37 percent of venomous snake bites in the US in 2001 (Lavonas E.J. et al., 2004)1
One must assume that this percentage is quite constant over years. Most bites from the Copperhead is in the eastern parts of the US, so here the percentage is probably a bit higher.
The venom is toxic and a bite from a Copperhead Snake is extremely painful, requires immediate medical treatment, but is very, very seldom fatal. Its one of the least venomous snakes of the venomous snakes in the USA
It may however cause serious damage to your tissue and leave
scars. Also there’s always a risk of a secondary infection caused by
bacteria from the snakes mouthparts.
For this reason there’s no point in trying to handle these snakes
unless you have some formal training handlings snakes. So don’t try to
kill a Copperhead Snake if you get a bite from one.
Behavior prior to a bite
When agitated, the snake will shake its tail to warn you. It has been noted that the Copperhead has a habit of lashing out after people. This initial warning will probably not inject large amounts of venom into your body if it fangs accidentally penetrates your skin. If it doesn’t reach see it as a warning but not an attack. Don’t misunderstand this spider, it’s not aggressive but it will bite if felt threatened. Keep away from it.
Life Cycle of Copperhead Snakes
Copperheads breeds from the end of July until September. Females give birth to live, 7-9 inch long, young snakes. The young Copperhead is a bit lighter than the adult Copperhead. Usually the tip of their tail is yellowish. Some herpetologist thinks that this is to lure lizards and frogs, but that’s not confirmed.
References
1Lavonas et al., (2004) “Initial experience with Crotalidae polyvalent immune Fab (ovine) antivenom in the treatment of copperhead snakebite”, ANNALS OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE 43 (2): pp. 200-206
Online resources
Reclining with Vipers
Ohio State University - Copperhead Snakes
Australian Copperheads
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