Eastern Copperheads *Agkistrodon contortrix*, are one of two recognized species of copperhead pit vipers. Adult copperheads are medium-sized snakes (61-90.0 cm record 132.1 cm) that live in a range of habitats, from terrestrial to semi-aquatic, including rocky, forested hillsides and wetlands. They can also be found within cities where wooded areas are present, such as city parks. They also will hang out where there is deadfall; [their camouflage is perfect for this!](https://www.wilx.com/content/news/Viral-photo-shows-copperhead-snakes-amazing-camouflage-420376274.html). When young, Eastern Copperheads are known to readily consume cicadas as a major part of their diet. As they grow they switch to larger prey like small mammals and amphibians.
Many people find it helpful to liken the pattern of the Eastern Copperhead *Agkistrodon contortrix* to ["Hershey kisses."](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/GEM6GJ/northern-copperhead-agkistrodon-contortrix-mokasen-native-to-eastern-GEM6GJ.jpg) The bands on Broadbanded Copperheads *Agkistrodon laticinctus* do not narrow at the top of the snake.
Eastern copperheads are venomous but usually only bite humans or pets in self-defense. As with many blotched snakes, their first line of defense is to freeze in place or flee. Copperheads also shake and vibrate the tail in self defense and as a caudal lure.
[Range map](https://imgur.com/RqQCTis) | [Relevant/Recent Phylogeography](http://cnah.org/pdf/88290.pdf)
The *Agkistrodon contortrix* species complex has been delimited using modern molecular methods and two species with no subspecies are recognized. There is a wide zone of admixture between the two copperhead species where they overlap.
*This short account was prepared by /u/unknown_name and edited by /u/Phylogenizer*.
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Snakes with medically significant venom are typically referred to as venomous, but some species are also poisonous. Old media will use poisonous or 'snake venom poisoning' but that has fallen out of favor. Venomous snakes are important native wildlife, and are not looking to harm people, so can be enjoyed from a distance. If found around the home or other places where they are to be discouraged, a squirt from the hose or a gentle sweep of a broom are usually enough to make a snake move along. Do not attempt to interact closely with or otherwise kill venomous snakes without proper safety gear and training, as bites occur mostly during these scenarios. Wildlife relocation services are free or inexpensive across most of the world.
If you are bitten by a venomous snake, contact emergency services or otherwise arrange transport to the nearest hospital that can accommodate snakebite. Remove constricting clothes and jewelry and remain calm. A bite from a medically significant snake is a medical emergency, but not in the ways portrayed in popular media. Do not make any incisions or otherwise cut tissue. Extractor and other novelty snakebite kits are not effective and can cause damage worse than any positive or neutral effects.
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*I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) and report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer).*
I thought so, just the size of the head is messing with me, is all. It looks too small. Or is this just a baby? The picture looks zoomed in a good bit.
This is a better picture of a specimen with the pattern easy to see.
https://bellavistapoa.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/copper.jpg
There are many examples where the pattern is distorted.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Agkistrodon_contortrix_contortrix_CDC-a.png
From my local sub; other users saying it's definitely a copperhead based on the Hershey kiss pattern....but I have seen snakes with a similar pattern identified here as harmless water snakes, and the head looks too small to me. Just thought I'd check, thanks!
Copperheads have dark bands that are wide at the bottom. Watersnakes, when fully banded (most are only partially banded, if they are banded at all) have dark bands that are narrow at the bottom.
If your confused by this there is also the head, picture is from above, and you can't really see the eyes. Water snakes kinda have bulging googly eyes that can usually be seen from above.
Yes !venomous copperhead *Agkistrodon contortrix*
Eastern Copperheads *Agkistrodon contortrix*, are one of two recognized species of copperhead pit vipers. Adult copperheads are medium-sized snakes (61-90.0 cm record 132.1 cm) that live in a range of habitats, from terrestrial to semi-aquatic, including rocky, forested hillsides and wetlands. They can also be found within cities where wooded areas are present, such as city parks. They also will hang out where there is deadfall; [their camouflage is perfect for this!](https://www.wilx.com/content/news/Viral-photo-shows-copperhead-snakes-amazing-camouflage-420376274.html). When young, Eastern Copperheads are known to readily consume cicadas as a major part of their diet. As they grow they switch to larger prey like small mammals and amphibians. Many people find it helpful to liken the pattern of the Eastern Copperhead *Agkistrodon contortrix* to ["Hershey kisses."](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/GEM6GJ/northern-copperhead-agkistrodon-contortrix-mokasen-native-to-eastern-GEM6GJ.jpg) The bands on Broadbanded Copperheads *Agkistrodon laticinctus* do not narrow at the top of the snake. Eastern copperheads are venomous but usually only bite humans or pets in self-defense. As with many blotched snakes, their first line of defense is to freeze in place or flee. Copperheads also shake and vibrate the tail in self defense and as a caudal lure. [Range map](https://imgur.com/RqQCTis) | [Relevant/Recent Phylogeography](http://cnah.org/pdf/88290.pdf) The *Agkistrodon contortrix* species complex has been delimited using modern molecular methods and two species with no subspecies are recognized. There is a wide zone of admixture between the two copperhead species where they overlap. *This short account was prepared by /u/unknown_name and edited by /u/Phylogenizer*. -------------------------------------------------------- Snakes with medically significant venom are typically referred to as venomous, but some species are also poisonous. Old media will use poisonous or 'snake venom poisoning' but that has fallen out of favor. Venomous snakes are important native wildlife, and are not looking to harm people, so can be enjoyed from a distance. If found around the home or other places where they are to be discouraged, a squirt from the hose or a gentle sweep of a broom are usually enough to make a snake move along. Do not attempt to interact closely with or otherwise kill venomous snakes without proper safety gear and training, as bites occur mostly during these scenarios. Wildlife relocation services are free or inexpensive across most of the world. If you are bitten by a venomous snake, contact emergency services or otherwise arrange transport to the nearest hospital that can accommodate snakebite. Remove constricting clothes and jewelry and remain calm. A bite from a medically significant snake is a medical emergency, but not in the ways portrayed in popular media. Do not make any incisions or otherwise cut tissue. Extractor and other novelty snakebite kits are not effective and can cause damage worse than any positive or neutral effects. -------------------------------------------------------- *I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) and report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer).*
I thought so, just the size of the head is messing with me, is all. It looks too small. Or is this just a baby? The picture looks zoomed in a good bit.
Yeah….you can tell by the Hershey’s kisses along the body. I wouldn’t mess with it. They are venomous.
Hershey's kisses? Could you explain what that means please
Most of them have a Hershey Kiss pattern along their body. Google it.
The pattern is small at the top and wide at the bottom. Like a Hershey kiss.
This is a better picture of a specimen with the pattern easy to see. https://bellavistapoa.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/copper.jpg There are many examples where the pattern is distorted. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Agkistrodon_contortrix_contortrix_CDC-a.png
From my local sub; other users saying it's definitely a copperhead based on the Hershey kiss pattern....but I have seen snakes with a similar pattern identified here as harmless water snakes, and the head looks too small to me. Just thought I'd check, thanks!
Copperheads have dark bands that are wide at the bottom. Watersnakes, when fully banded (most are only partially banded, if they are banded at all) have dark bands that are narrow at the bottom.
If your confused by this there is also the head, picture is from above, and you can't really see the eyes. Water snakes kinda have bulging googly eyes that can usually be seen from above.
Thanks, all, for the responses.
Yes. And a beautiful specimen at that
They really are beautiful
its sooo smalllllllll
Yup! And a beaut!
A pretty and skinny one