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 'strike and release' strategy for larger prey, tracking the scent trail afterward.
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.
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' 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.