Eastern Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Viperidae, Subfamily: Crotalinae, Genus: Agkistrodon
Eastern and central United States, from southern New England south to the Florida Panhandle and west to the Mississippi River. Subspecies/variations extend into Texas and northern Mexico.
Look up Eastern Copperhead in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Viperidae, Subfamily: Crotalinae, Genus: Agkistrodon
Conservation
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. Generally stable, though threatened by habitat loss and persecution by humans.
Physical Description
Stocky body with tan to coppery-pink base color. Distinguishable by 'hourglass' or 'Hershey's Kiss' shaped crossbands that are narrow at the spine and wide at the sides. Large, triangular head, vertical pupils (cat-like), and heat-sensing pits between the eye and nostril.
Size & Dimensions
This specimen appears to be an adult or sub-adult, roughly 60-90 cm. Typical adult range is 61-91 cm (24-36 inches), with a record length of about 134 cm (53 inches).
Habitat
Deciduous forests, rocky hillsides, swamp edges, and suburban gardens. Prefers areas with leaf litter or wood piles for camouflage; ranges from sea level to approximately 1,500 meters elevation.
Diet & Feeding
Generalist carnivore. Eats rodents, frogs, lizards, large insects (like cicadas), and birds. Uses a 'bite and release' strategy for larger prey, tracking the scent trail once the venom takes effect.
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous (gives birth to live young). Litters typically range from 1 to 21 (average 7-10). Born in late summer/early fall. Neonates have bright sulfur-yellow tail tips used for caudal luring of prey.
Look-alikes
Commonly confused with Northern Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon), which have bands that are widest at the spine, and Eastern Milk Snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum), which have smooth scales and round pupils.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. Generally stable, though threatened by habitat loss and persecution by humans.
Cultural Significance
A staple of North American herpetology; it plays a vital ecological role in controlling rodent populations. Often figures into regional folklore as a symbol of the 'unseen' danger of the forest floor.
Notable Features
Excellent camouflage effectively mimics dead leaves. It is a 'pit viper,' meaning it possesses heat-sensing organs to locate warm-blooded prey in total darkness.