Eastern Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Viperidae, Subfamily: Crotalinae, Genus: Agkistrodon, Species: A. contortrix
Eastern and central North America, ranging from southern New England south to northern Florida, and west to 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, though local populations face threats from habitat fragmentation, road mortality, and intentional killing by humans.
Physical Description
Characterized by an hourglass or dumbbell-shaped dark reddish-brown crossbands overlaying a lighter tan, pinkish, or light brown background. The head is distinctly wider than the neck, solid coppery-brown in color, and features vertical elliptical pupils.
Size & Dimensions
Adult specimen length typically ranges between 60 to 90 cm (24 to 36 inches), with maximum recorded lengths reaching up to 135 cm (53 inches).
Habitat
Deciduous forests, mixed woodlands, rocky outcroppings, swamp edges, and disturbed habitats such as old fields or rural residential areas. Prefers areas with abundant cover like fallen logs, leaf litter, and rock piles.
Diet & Feeding
Predominantly carnivorous, consuming small rodents, lizards, small birds, amphibians, and large insects such as cicadas. Utilizes an ambush hunting strategy.
Reproduction
Viviparous (live-bearing), giving birth to litters typically ranging from 1 to 21 young, usually in late summer or early autumn. Mating occurs primarily in the spring and occasionally in late summer/autumn.
Look-alikes
Frequently confused with non-venomous water snakes (Nerodia species), corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus), and milk snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum). Copperheads are distinguished by their distinctive hourglass-shaped crossbands and copper-colored head.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, though local populations face threats from habitat fragmentation, road mortality, and intentional killing by humans.
Cultural Significance
Plays an important ecological role in controlling rodent populations. In human culture, they are often misunderstood and feared, leading to encounters resulting in human-wildlife conflict.
Notable Features
Possesses heat-sensing pit organs located between the eye and nostril used to detect warm-blooded prey, and displays excellent camouflage matching forest leaf litter.