Eastern Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Viperidae, Subfamily: Crotalinae, Genus: Agkistrodon, Species: Agkistrodon contortrix
Native to North America, specifically across the eastern and central United States, ranging from southern New England south to northern Florida and west to Texas and Oklahoma.
Look up Eastern Copperhead in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Viperidae, Subfamily: Crotalinae, Genus: Agkistrodon, Species: Agkistrodon contortrix
Conservation
Listed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, though localized populations face threats from habitat loss, road mortality, and intentional persecution.
Physical Description
Features a distinctive pinkish-tan to coppery-brown background color overlaid with dark brown, hourglass-shaped crossbands that are narrow across the spine and wider on the sides. The head is broad, triangular, and copper-colored. Scales are keeled.
Size & Dimensions
This specimen appears to be an adult, roughly 24 to 30 inches (60-76 cm) long. Typical adult size ranges from 20 to 37 inches (50-95 cm), with maximum lengths occasionally reaching 4.5 feet (135 cm).
Habitat
Found in deciduous forests, mixed woodlands, rocky hillsides, swamp edges, and suburban environments near wooded areas. Often shelters under leaf litter, fallen logs, rock piles, or debris.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous ambush predator that feeds on mice, voles, small birds, frogs, lizards, large insects (such as cicadas), and other snakes. It relies heavily on cryptic camouflage to ambush prey.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young). Typically gives birth to a litter of 4 to 8 young in late summer or early autumn. Juveniles possess a bright sulfur-yellow tail tip used for caudal luring of prey.
Look-alikes
Often confused with the Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon), which has dark bands that are wider on the back and narrow on the sides (opposite of the hourglass shape), and the Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) or Corn Snake (Pantherophis guttatus).
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, though localized populations face threats from habitat loss, road mortality, and intentional persecution.
Cultural Significance
Plays a key ecological role as a mesopredator regulating small mammal and insect populations within forest ecosystems across the eastern United States.
Notable Features
Exhibits classic hourglass-shaped transverse saddles along the dorsum, providing exceptional camouflage against fallen leaves. Juveniles use a bright yellow tail tip to lure small frogs and lizards.