According to the university of georgia extension, the largest copperhead ever recorded was 4 feet 5 inches. The demise of the pit viper is not as dramatic as one might think. The snake was found dead in a wooded area near the town’s main road. It had been shot with a.22-caliber rifle.
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What snake is mistaken for a copperhead?
The eastern ratsnake, also known as the blackrat snake, is the most common snake that is mistaken for a copperhead. A dark background causes the eastern ratsnake to have a strong pattern of gray or brown blotches.
This pattern is often mistaken for copperheads, but it is actually the result of a mutation in a gene that codes for a pigment called melanin, which gives the rat snake its black coloration. Ratnakes are found throughout the southeastern United States, from Florida to Georgia. They are also found in Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America.
They can grow to be as large as 6 feet long (1.8 m), and can reach a maximum weight of 2,500 pounds.
How big do copperheads get in feet?
Adult copperheads are about three feet long. The copperhead is referred to as a pit-viper because it has a heat-sensitive pit between its eyes and nostrils. Copperhead venom is highly toxic to humans and other vertebrates. Copperhead bites can cause severe pain, swelling, and even death. In fact, the venom of the copperback is so potent that it can kill an adult human in a matter of minutes.
Are copperhead bites fatal?
States, an estimated 2,920 people are bitten by copperheads every year. The incidence of bites by these venomous snakes is high. The case-fatality rate is very low, with only one reported death from a copperhead bite.
What happens when you are bitten by a copperhead?
Redness, swelling, bruising, bleeding or blistering around the bite. It can be nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. In extreme cases, breathing may stop because of labored breathing. If you think you may have been bitten by a venomous snake, call your doctor or poison control center right away.
How do you get rid of copperhead snakes?
Remove piles of leaf debris, rocks, and trash from around the home to eliminate harborage areas of both the copperhead snakes and/or their food source. Tall grasses and vegetation should be removed from the home. Keep bushes clear of debris by trimming them.
Keep the snakes away from your pets by using snake repellants around the house and in the yard. If you have a snake problem, you may want to contact a professional snake control company.
What to do if you see a copperhead in your yard?
If you see a copperhead or any poisonous snake in your yard, gather up the kids and pets and retreat to the house immediately!. Do not attempt to kill it on your own. The local fire department or animal control may be able to remove the snake from your property.
How far can a copperhead snake strike?
A snake can strike a distance between 1/3 and 1/2 of its body length. The strike can reach no more than three feet from the tip of the tail if the snake is more than four feet in length. A snake’s bite can be painful, but it is not likely to cause serious injury. A bite from a rattlesnake is usually not life-threatening.
