Fangtastic Facts
Southern Copperhead
(Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix)
The southern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix) is a pit viper, possessing special heat pits between each eye and nostril that it uses to locate prey.
Description
Its body is usually light brown to light tan, often with a slight pink tint and rough, keeled scales. Dark hourglass‑shaped markings run down its body, helping it blend into leaf litter where it can lie motionless and undetected.
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One notable feature is its upturned snout and wide head, caused by the large venom glands behind the eyes. Its eyes are yellow with an elliptical, cat‑like pupil, which is typical of nocturnal species, although this snake may still be active during the day in cooler weather.
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Juveniles have a bright yellow tail tip that fades by their third or fourth year. Their body colour is similar to adults but appears duller.
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Adult southern copperheads reach a maximum length of about 66 cm.
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Important: Colour, markings and overall appearance can vary considerably between individual snakes. Photographs, descriptions and information on this website should not be relied upon to identify a potentially venomous snake. If you encounter a snake, keep your distance and leave identification and removal to trained professionals.
Southern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix). Photography: © Wildvet/Shutterstock
Distribution
This species occurs in the eastern United States to central and southern states, as well as parts of Texas.
Habitat
The southern copperhead lives in forests, wetlands and rocky areas, often in or near deciduous woodland on hilly ground. It is commonly found around rock outcrops, floodplains and the edges of swamps, and in the arid west it uses moist places near water. This snake prefers areas with plenty of surface cover such as rocks, logs, stumps and leaf litter, and it may climb a few metres into vegetation. It shelters and hibernates in rock crevices, caves, animal burrows, hollow logs or similar protected sites. In some regions it also occurs in mixed pasture and wooded lowlands near river bottoms and can adapt to wooded suburbs where hiding places are available.
Diet
Rats, mice, baby cottontails, snakes, rabbits, lizards, small turtles, toads, frogs, and insects make up the southern copperhead's diet.
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Juveniles use a tactic called caudal luring to attract prey. This technique involves the young snake wriggling the bright yellow tip of its tail to mimic a worm or other small invertebrate and waiting for its prey to take the bait. Once it is within striking range, the young snake strikes and consumes its prey. As the snake matures, it no longer uses caudal luring.
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Even when southern copperheads are most active, they may feed only once every three weeks.
Behaviour
When alarmed, the copperhead displays an interesting deterrent strategy. It vibrates its tail. The vibrating motion among the dead leaves produces a rattling or rustling noise that warns off predators.
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During hibernation, this species sometimes nests with other snakes, sharing dens in rock crevices, caves, or animal burrows.
Reproduction
Mating occurs from February to early May. Like other pit vipers, they don’t lay eggs. The species is ovoviviparous, meaning the young hatch from eggs while still inside the mother and are born live. The young remain inside their mother’s body for days until they are ready to hatch and be birthed. A litter often has 4-8 young, and they have an average lifespan of 6-8 years. Captive snakes of this species generally live longer, with one individual living for 23 years.
Venom
A bite from this species is rarely fatal because of its short fangs and small venom yield. Despite this, seek prompt medical attention if you think this snake has bitten you.
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The venom of the southern copperhead is primarily haemotoxic, disrupting normal blood clotting and damaging vascular tissues, producing localised pain, swelling, erythema, bruising, and mild to moderate tissue injury.
Predators
Other snakes and raptors are common predators of southern copperhead snakes, with younger snakes being more vulnerable.
Conservation status
The IUCN Red List classifies the southern copperhead as a species of least concern, due to its large population size and wide distribution.
Fangtastic Fact
Contortrostatin is a venom protein from the southern copperhead. In laboratory studies, contortrostatin has inhibited the ability of breast cancer cells to attach to extracellular matrix proteins such as fibronectin and vitronectin and has reduced tumour growth and spread in mouse models. It does this without directly killing the cancer cells; instead, it blocks the integrin signals that tumours rely on to attach, grow, and invade surrounding tissues. This encouraging finding may one day lead to advances in cancer treatment.
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Content on this website is provided for general educational purposes and is not suitable for identifying snakes or guiding interactions with them. While reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, no guarantee is made regarding completeness or suitability for specific circumstances. Wild snakes should not be approached or handled, and professional snake catchers should be contacted if assistance is required. By using this website, users acknowledge and accept these terms.
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