Reptile · GBIF taxon 9215881
Agkistrodon contortrix
agkistrodon contortrixAlso known as Copperhead, Chunk Head, Highland Moccasin
Eastern copperheads rely on flawless leaf-litter camouflage to blend into the forest floor, remaining motionless to ambush unsuspecting prey. Young snakes feature bright sulfur-yellow tail tips that they wriggle like caterpillars to lure small frogs and lizards within striking distance. When threatened, adults vibrate their tails against dry leaves to produce a distinctive warning rustle before delivering a defensive strike.
VenomousPit ViperCamouflaged
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Rodents
- Cicadas
- Frogs
Predators
- Kingsnakes
- Hawks
- Opossums
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, road mortality, and intentional persecution
HabitatsDeciduous forests, rocky hillsides, swamp edges, and suburban woodlots
Life span15 to 25 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyViperidae
- GenusAgkistrodon
- Speciesagkistrodon contortrix
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskVery high
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is very high
- Possesses cytotoxic venom; maintain a distance of several feet and watch footing in leaf litter.
- Why it is dangerous
- Injects hemotoxic venom containing tissue-destroying enzymes that cause immediate localized pain, swelling, and severe tissue damage.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by its solid copper-colored head, vertical slit pupils, facial pit organs, and dark hourglass crossbands on a lighter body.
- What to do
- Back away slowly if encountered and never reach into dense leaf litter, hollow logs, or rock crevices without checking.
Responsible observation
- Watch Your Step: Wear sturdy boots and use a flashlight when walking through leaf litter or rocky paths at night.
- Give Space: Back away slowly if you spot one, as copperheads prefer to freeze or flee rather than strike.
- Keep Pets Leashed: Restrain dogs on forest trails to prevent accidental nose-to-nose encounters.
Predator (c) Amy Huie, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Predator Buteo_jamaicensis_1.jpg: Alan Vernon derivative work: Berichard (talk) / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Prey (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) kirk gardner, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by kirk gardner · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Clifton Ladd, C.W.B., some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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