Identification: A brown snake normally around 30" long with darker bands. The body is moderately thick, the head somewhat "triangular" and the eyes elliptical. Several other snakes look somewhat similar, including the very common northern watersnake. To clearly identify the snake as a copperhead, look at lots of pictures of copperheads on the internet until you are good at it. Getting close enough to oggle his eyeballs for the elliptical pupil is not advised by me, although some maintain it can be done at a safe distance.
The Copperhead; A Snake who Might Bite you
As with most of nature's more undesirable occurrences, like lightning strikes and death by great white, you probably won't be bitten by a copperhead. However, you shouldn't completely rule out the possibility. I myself narrowly escaped a copperhead bite two years ago. I saw the serpent wiggling across the road, and without pausing to identify the species, i stopped my car, jumped out, and reached down to grab him. My fingers where about 4 inches away when I saw the snake was none other than the infamous Mokasen. I pulled my hand away. The snake struck. His fangs missed. I retreated to the car. If a movie is made of my life, this particular scene would be slow motion. Perhaps artistic embellishment would involve the fangs grazing my fingertips, yet failing to penetrate. It would be incredibly moving and suspenseful.
The point of this reminiscence is that not even a seasoned naturalist is entirely safe from the Copperhead. Indeed, he bites more people each year than any other poisonous snake in America.
The Copperhead; A Snake who Might Bite you
As with most of nature's more undesirable occurrences, like lightning strikes and death by great white, you probably won't be bitten by a copperhead. However, you shouldn't completely rule out the possibility. I myself narrowly escaped a copperhead bite two years ago. I saw the serpent wiggling across the road, and without pausing to identify the species, i stopped my car, jumped out, and reached down to grab him. My fingers where about 4 inches away when I saw the snake was none other than the infamous Mokasen. I pulled my hand away. The snake struck. His fangs missed. I retreated to the car. If a movie is made of my life, this particular scene would be slow motion. Perhaps artistic embellishment would involve the fangs grazing my fingertips, yet failing to penetrate. It would be incredibly moving and suspenseful.
The point of this reminiscence is that not even a seasoned naturalist is entirely safe from the Copperhead. Indeed, he bites more people each year than any other poisonous snake in America.
The Copperhead Bite; What is it Like?
In a word; terrible. The copperhead is venomous, but not all venomous snakes are alike. In general, there are two types of venom. The first type is the neurotoxic venoms. These effect your nervous system, and are found in reptiles such as coral snakes and cobras. A neurotoxic snake may be deadly, but it's bite might not actually hurt at first. The other type of snake venom is hemotoxic. This type breaks down tissues such as muscles. While the hemotoxin of various snakes can differ in potency, they are all extremely painful. The Copperhead's venom is a hemotoxin. If he bites you, the pain will be remarkable. You are unlikely to die, but it will hurt a lot. There may be swelling, scarring, and perhaps the loss of whatever area was struck if you are unlucky. Usually, people only die from copperheads if they have the misfortune to encounter multiple snakes and receive multiple bites. Try to avoid this. If bitten, try to stay calm. You might get lucky, and the snake will not inject any venom. Even so, imobilize the wound as much as possible, and get to a hospital as quick as you can. In the best case, an ambulance could be called, and you could be transported. In any event, you want to move your body as little as possible after a bite while getting to treatment.
In a word; terrible. The copperhead is venomous, but not all venomous snakes are alike. In general, there are two types of venom. The first type is the neurotoxic venoms. These effect your nervous system, and are found in reptiles such as coral snakes and cobras. A neurotoxic snake may be deadly, but it's bite might not actually hurt at first. The other type of snake venom is hemotoxic. This type breaks down tissues such as muscles. While the hemotoxin of various snakes can differ in potency, they are all extremely painful. The Copperhead's venom is a hemotoxin. If he bites you, the pain will be remarkable. You are unlikely to die, but it will hurt a lot. There may be swelling, scarring, and perhaps the loss of whatever area was struck if you are unlucky. Usually, people only die from copperheads if they have the misfortune to encounter multiple snakes and receive multiple bites. Try to avoid this. If bitten, try to stay calm. You might get lucky, and the snake will not inject any venom. Even so, imobilize the wound as much as possible, and get to a hospital as quick as you can. In the best case, an ambulance could be called, and you could be transported. In any event, you want to move your body as little as possible after a bite while getting to treatment.
The Copperhead; Does he Want to Bite You?
I've combed the litertature seeking a definitive answer to this question, and I confess I am still undecided. Many of our animal friends loathe confrontation, and will scurry away given the opportunity. A skunk would probably rather not spray you. Even a grizzly bear will normally avoid you if he knows you're around. But there are a few unsavories out there that just like to mix it up. Pomatomus Saltatrix, the bluefish is a prime example. He lives to bite whatever poor soul swims too close.
So where does the copperhead fall on this spectrum? I'd have to say in the middle. Should you happen upon him, he's not guaranteed to take pains to avoid you. Different studies have shown different results, with some copperheads tending to slither away from larger animals, and others deciding to stay put. As far as I can tell, many mokasens are devil-may-care chaps who would just as soon stay in place and bite your ankle, as prudently move to avoid being trampled. On the other hand, the copperhead isn't overly antisocial. He won't normally drop down on you from a tree limb, or pretend to be your walking stick.
So where does the copperhead fall on this spectrum? I'd have to say in the middle. Should you happen upon him, he's not guaranteed to take pains to avoid you. Different studies have shown different results, with some copperheads tending to slither away from larger animals, and others deciding to stay put. As far as I can tell, many mokasens are devil-may-care chaps who would just as soon stay in place and bite your ankle, as prudently move to avoid being trampled. On the other hand, the copperhead isn't overly antisocial. He won't normally drop down on you from a tree limb, or pretend to be your walking stick.
Does he Smell Like Cucumbers?
Probably not. A kind reader has shared in the comments section that this alleged smell may come from the environment of his den. However, in your efforts not to step on a concealed copperhead, please don't let everything hang upon fleeing the odor of garden salads.
Probably not. A kind reader has shared in the comments section that this alleged smell may come from the environment of his den. However, in your efforts not to step on a concealed copperhead, please don't let everything hang upon fleeing the odor of garden salads.
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Just thought I would clarify that to my knowledge (worked with snakes professionally for two decades), the cucumber smell is attributed to winter dens of Crotalinae.
ReplyDeleteIt is readily demonstrable that contortrix do not smell like cucumbers.
Great fact about the winter dens! Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDelete-PA