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Northern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen

Photo by JC_Forester
Published on Project Noah
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36.8499, -83.1719

Field Notes

Description:

Spotted in Harlan County, Kentucky on Little Black Mtn. during a hard rain. The iconic Northern Copperhead has many common names such as highland moccasin, beech-leaf snake, chunk head, copper (adder), copper-bell, copper belly, copperhead moccasin, copperhead viper, copper snake, copper viper, deaf adder, deaf snake, harlequin snake, hazel head, North American copperhead snake, northern copperhead, pilot, poplar leaf, rattlesnake pilot, rattlesnake's mate, red adder, red eye, red snake, red viper, thunder snake, upland moccasin, white oak snake, adder. Although poisonous this snake is lethargic in nature unless provoked. This snake is young but not too young. The yellow tip on the tail is normally not seen in adults.

Habitat:

Rocky, wooded hillsides and mountainous areas are favorite habitats.

Notes:

Copperheads are gregarious, especially in autumn, when they assemble at hibernating dens or denning areas, often in company of other species of snakes. Great numbers of harmless snakes are killed in the mistaken belief they are copperheads.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (9)

Ah, nice eye Mr. Goldfish. Although venomous, these snakes are generally not aggressive and bites are "rarely" fatal. Copperhead venom has an estimated lethal dose of around 100 mg which is among the lowest of all pit vipers. Another neat fact I found was that copperheads often employ a "warning bite" when stepped on or agitated and inject a relatively small amount of venom, if any at all. "Dry bites" involving no venom are particularly common with the copperhead, though all pit vipers are capable of a dry bite.
Look at those patterns!!! A beautiful snake :-)
He's gorgeous! And great photo and description, Jared.
Truly! Makes the hair stand up on my head! The eyes are amazing!
Isn't it a great feeling to have experienced something like this?
Yes, it was just a few feet from were I had walked. I am glad it was a friendly encounter with this amazing snake. :)

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