Copperheads have muscular, thick bodies and keeled (ridged) scales. Their heads are triangular and different from the neck, with a ridge between the eye and nostril. The copperhead is a member of the family Viperidae, which also includes rattlesnakes, cobras, and caimans. It is the only venomous snake in North America.
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What snake is mistaken for a copperhead?
The most common snake misidentified as a copperhead is the harmless juvenile Eastern Ratsnake (formerly called the blackrat snake). Ratsnake has a dark brown body with a gray or brown pattern on it. It has a long, slender body and a short tail.
The head is large and the eyes are large, dark, and set high on the top of the head. This snake is not venomous, but it can be very dangerous if it is handled or handled incorrectly. This is a harmless snake that is found throughout the eastern United States.
Its coloration is similar to that of a black rat snake, except that the red bellies are more prominent. They are about the same size as black ratsnakes and can grow up to 3 feet in length. Rattus is also known as the “Rat Snake” because of its resemblance to a rat.
How poisonous is the copperhead?
The eastern and central United States have a common species of venomous snake called the North American copperhead.
Children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems are at the greatest risk of being bitten. :
- The most common symptoms of a snakebite are nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Fever
- Chills
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Numbness
- Tingling
loss of appetite
or weakness in one or both arms or legs.
Most people recover within a few days, but some people may require hospitalization for a week or more.
Where are copperhead snakes usually found?
It is found in northern Georgia and Alabama, north to Massachusetts and west to Illinois. The habitats in which copperheads live include rocky, forested, and marshy areas. The copperhead is the only venomous snake in the United States.
It is also one of the largest snakes in North America, with a body length of up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) and a maximum weight of over 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms). It has a long, slender tail, which it uses to propel itself through the water.
What time of day are copperheads most active?
During the summer heat, they hunt for prey during the cooler evening hours. During their most active months, Southern copperheads eat one single meal every three weeks. During this time, copperheads sometimes nest with other snake species.
They have the largest venom glands of any snake, and can inject up to 1,000 milligrams of venom into a human being in a single bite. Their venom is highly neurotoxic, which means that it is capable of causing brain damage and death in humans.
The venom of the southern copperhead is also highly toxic to other animals, such as birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.
How do you keep copperheads away?
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.
What to do if you see a copperhead?
If you do see a copperhead, leave it alone or call a professional to relocate the snake to a safer place. You increase your chance of getting bitten by the venomous snake if you try to kill it.
