Northern Copperhead
(Agkistrodaon
contortrix mokasen) |
 |
DESCRIPTION: The Northern Copperhead is a
moderately large snake that typically measures 24 to 36 inches
in length. Its head is reddish-brown in color and its body is
tan. The body is marked with 15 to 19 mahogany lateral bands
with darker edges that are wide on the sides and narrow on the
back. The lateral bands are occasionally interrupted along the
midline. Viewed from above, these bands appear hourglass shaped.
Irregular brown spots are often found between the bands. The
copperhead has a wedge-shaped head, sensory pits, and vertically
elliptical “cat-like” pupils. The young are pale with a yellow
tipped tail and are 8 to 9 inches in length
Warning! Venomous
STATUS:
RANGE: East of the Blue Ridge
Mountains, except for one each in Alleghany, Bath, and
Washington counties.
HABITAT: Rocky, wooded hillsides
SPECIAL HABITAT: The copperhead is found in
open areas with higher rock densities, and uses all types of
structures for cover, including abandoned buildings, brush
piles, and stone walls.
FOOD: Small rodents, insects, lizards and
frogs |
