Eastern Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Viperidae, Subfamily: Crotalinae, Genus: Agkistrodon, Species: A. contortrix
Found throughout the eastern and central United States, ranging from southern New York and Massachusetts south to northern Florida, and west to eastern Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Look up Eastern Copperhead in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Viperidae, Subfamily: Crotalinae, Genus: Agkistrodon, Species: A. contortrix
Conservation
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, due to its wide distribution, large population size, and adaptability to modified habitats, though localized populations face threats from road mortality and intentional killing.
Physical Description
Displays a distinctive pattern of chestnut-brown to reddish-tan hourglass-shaped crossbands over a paler pinkish-tan, tan, or gray background. The head is broad, triangular, and often coppery-red, distinctly wider than the neck. Scales are keeled.
Size & Dimensions
The pictured specimen appears to be an adult around 60 to 75 cm in length. Typical adult size ranges from 50 to 95 cm, with exceptional specimens reaching up to 135 cm.
Habitat
Inhabits deciduous forests, mixed woodlands, rocky hillsides, wetland edges, and suburban areas bordering forested patches. Prefers microhabitats with abundant cover such as fallen logs, leaf litter, and rock outcrops.
Diet & Feeding
Diet consists primarily of small rodents, lizards, small birds, frogs, and large insects like cicadas. They are sit-and-ambush predators, often remaining motionless in leaf litter to surprise passing prey.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young). Mating typically occurs in late summer or autumn, sometimes with spring breeding as well. Females give birth to litters averaging 4 to 7 young in late summer.
Look-alikes
Frequently confused with corn snakes, eastern milk snakes, and juvenile rat snakes. Can be distinguished by its unique hourglass-shaped dorsal bands that narrow at the spine, unlike the rounded blotches of colubrid look-alikes.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, due to its wide distribution, large population size, and adaptability to modified habitats, though localized populations face threats from road mortality and intentional killing.
Cultural Significance
Plays an important ecological role in controlling rodent and small mammal populations. Frequently misunderstood by the public due to its camouflage and defensive postures.
Notable Features
Possesses heat-sensing pit organs located between the eye and the nostril, which allow it to detect warm-blooded prey in total darkness. The tail tip of juveniles is often sulfur-yellow and used for caudal luring.