REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: VIPERIDAE: Agkistrodon

Agkistrodon contortrix Author and date

Copperhead

Photo & author credits

Range: The eastern United States and Canada, from Quebec south to Florida and west to Kansas and eastern Texas.

Diagnosis: A conspicuously banded snake with tan and orange-rust markings. The bands tend to be hourglass-shaped. The head is distinctly triangular, with large shields on top and two small dark spots over the parietal region. Scales keeled.

Description:

Natural History: Venomous, although fatalities are rare in adults. The venom is largely hemotoxic, breaking down blood vessels and cells. Bites are painful, and may cause incredible swelling.

Copperheads are secretive ambush predators. They lie concealed among dead leaves and wait for prey to walk into striking range. Food includes small mammals and birds, though some small reptiles are taken by young copperheads. Young snakes have bright yellow tail tips which are wriggled as lures to attract prey (=caudal luring).

Reproduction: Produces live young that are more brightly colored than adults, with intense crossbands and a characteristic yellow tail tip.

Taxonomy & Relationships:

Variation:

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Type Specimen:

Literature:

Campbell, Jonathan and William Lamar. 2004. The venomous reptiles of Western Hemisphere. Two volumes. Comstock Cornell University Press.