Copperhead Snakes

Copperheads are arguably the most notorious venomous snake found in Virginia, instantly recognizable by their coppery brown coloring and hourglass pattern. As professional snake removal experts serving the state, we frequently receive calls to remove copperheads from homes and yards.

This page provides key details about copperhead behavior, habitat, reproduction, diet, venom, and potential risk to humans. We aim to educate homeowners and property managers on copperhead facts versus fiction, proper identification, and most importantly – what to do if you spot one on your land. By understanding copperhead habits and biology, you can take appropriate precautions if these snakes are present near your home.

Adult Copperheads

Adult copperheads typically have a light brown, coppery coloration with distinctive hourglass shaped dark brown or reddish-brown bands crossing their body. These bands are wider at the sides and narrow towards the spine. The coloring provides camouflage amongst fallen leaves and wooded areas. Copperheads have thick, heavy bodies with broad, triangular-shaped heads.

Young copperheads look markedly different from the adults. They have a grayish coloration with hints of light brown, and the tips of their tails are brightly colored yellow.

This bright tail tip fades as they mature. Juvenile copperhead patterning is faint at birth but becomes more defined as they grow older. By around 3 years old, they take on the standard adult coloration and hourglass pattern.

With so many Copperheads here in Virginia, people will call any snake with a distinct pattern a Copperhead. Are you unsure if what you have is a Copperhead?

Follow this handy guide, so you won’t get confused!

Good rule of thumb is that copperheads have an hourglass pattern to them. This means that the patterns get wider the closer to the sides and narrower near the spine as shown in this image. Note that not all copperheads will have dots on their back, and that both sides do not always connect.

The coloration of these bands is important to note, as they get noticeably darker on the edges of the bands. This is to help them mimic fallen leaves, which is a good way to recognize them

While the bands are normally connected on both sides, they don’t have to be as seen on the right.

Copperheads get their name from their color, which is a copper rusty color. They tend to get confused with Water Moccasins another venomous snake here in Virginia. However, Water Moccasins tend to be a very dark brown to mimic wet fallen leaves. Copperheads are always this copper color except the juveniles who tend to be a light gray with sulfur colored tips on their tails.

Here in Virginia, head shape is an easy way to identify a copperhead. It has a unique triangular head with a distinctive narrow neck. This is a telltale sign that the snake is venomous, as the venom glands are stored in the back of the head.

Which is different from the common round-headed non-venomous snakes found in the region, due to the lack of those glands. Beware that some snakes such as the hognose snake will flatten their head to mimic the triangle head.

Notice the Triangular Head Shape, all venomous snakes in Virginia have this shape

This is the Eastern Hognose Snake, which can flatten their head to mimic a Copperhead.

Copperhead behaviors and habits allow them to thrive across Virginia. Their activity cycles change with the seasons based on optimal temperatures and hunting needs. When threatened, an intricate set of defensive strategies kicks in from camouflage to tail vibrations.

Most fascinating are the ways copperheads avoid conflict through strategic freezing, but also deter aggressors with quick-strike bites. To understand what makes these snakes so well-adapted, we will examine their activity cycles, defensive behaviors, and bite strategies in detail.

Copperheads are nocturnal during the hot summer months, becoming more active at night to avoid the heat. However, in the milder spring and fall they switch to being diurnal, active during the day.

Copperheads often bask in sunny spots or near heat sources like rocks or concrete.

When threatened, copperheads often freeze in place relying on their camouflage to avoid detection.

If approached too closely, they may rapidly vibrate their tails, hissing as a warning. Copperheads are not typically aggressive unless touched or handled.

Copperhead bites are most frequent in the summer when humans are outdoors more often.

They tend to bite defensively when stepped on or handled. With proper medical treatment, copperhead bites are rarely fatal to healthy humans.

Range

Copperheads can be found all throughout Virginia.

Copperhead Snakes as a whole can be found across the Southern United States going as far north as Massachusetts and extending down to central Texas. This is due to the forested areas, and the deciduous trees that lose their leaves in the fall, which is their source of camouflage from other predators and prey

Habitat

Copperheads are carnivores. They mostly eat mice, but also small birds, amphibians, other snakes, and insects. Copperheads are essential in keeping Virginia’s rodent population down to manageable levels.

Copperheads attack their prey by ambush. They lie and wait until prey gets near and they strike, injecting their venom. After which they swallow their prey whole

Reproduction

Copperhead Snakes mate from February – May and August – October. The male copperheads engage in a mating ritual where they will fight other males in the presence of the female they are wooing. When the male wins sometimes the female joins in the fight. Any male that backs off will be rejected by the female. If mated in the fall, the female can wait and give birth in the spring after hibernation.

Eggs and Young

Venom Effects

Copperhead venom rarely leads to death however you must go to the hospital immediately if bit. A Copperhead bite can lead to an allergic reaction and infection, which will lead to death.

If You Are Bitten

Copperhead venom will lead to these symptoms:

• Redness/Swelling around the bite
• Extreme Debilitating Pain
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Getting hard to breathe
• Disturbed Vision
• Increase of Salivation and Perspiration
• Numbness of limbs and face

Pets Bit By Copperhead Snake

If You Have Been Bitten by a Copperhead Snake