Southern Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix
Summary 3
Agkistrodon contortrix is a species of venomous snake endemic to Eastern North America, a member of the Crotalinae (pit viper) subfamily. The common name for this species is the copperhead. The behavior of Agkistrodon contortrix may lead to accidental encounters with humans. Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.
Diagnostic Features: 4
Undivided anal scale.
Dorsal scales keeled, in rows of 21-25 near midbody.
Distinctions between the three subspecies are based on color variations, yet some of these variations have been shown to be variable over the range of a single subspecies.
Coloration: 4
Contrasting red (copper) or brown crossbands on a light tan background.
Size: 4
Adult copperheads measure between 51-91.5 cm (20-36 in); record length is 132 cm (52 in) in A. c. contortrix.
General Distribution: 4
In the United States, populations of Agkistrodon contortrix are found from Texas and Oklahoma in the southwest, Iowa to the northwest, New York and Massachusetts to the northeast, and Florida to the southeast. A few peripheral populations of A. contortrix are found in extreme northern Mexico.
Behavior: 4
Copperheads are venomous, and are therefore highly dangerous if approached or handled. They are not generally aggressive and will most likely flee any confrontation if given a chance to retreat. Called copperheads because of their distinctly colored heads, the subspecies of A. contortrix make use of their colorations by living in partly shaded habitats. Hiding in leaf piles beneath trees, or alongside logs and stones in wooded forests, the copperhead is able to elude predators because of its camouflage. This cryptic behavior also allows copperheads to strike out at unsuspecting prey. The light grey or olive colored tail of the copperhead is used to lure prey to within striking distance. Prey includes rodents, birds, lizards, frogs and other amphibian species. Being nocturnal during the hotter summer months, A. contortrix is active during the day only during the cooler spring and fall months.
Reproduction: 4
Copperheads may breed in April and May, giving birth to as many as eight live young in August and September, with the young snakes measuring 18-25.5 cm (7-10 in). There is also evidence that copperheads may only give birth to young every other year.
Habitat: 4
The copperhead is a colorful and frequently seen snake found throughout much of the eastern half of Texas. Habitats of copperhead do not generally include standing or running water, in fact, A. c. pictogaster can be found in relatively dry desert canyons in west Texas.
Conservation Status: 4
The copperhead is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.
Texas Distribution: 4
Agkistrodon contortrix is found throughout most of the state, save the Panhandle and the extreme western Texas counties (El Paso, Hudspeth, Culberson).
Sources and Credits
- (c) Patrick Feller, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://www.flickr.com/photos/32345848@N07/4596889264
- (c) Caleb Paul, all rights reserved, uploaded by Caleb Paul
- Adapted by Caleb Paul from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agkistrodon_contortrix_contortrix
- (c) Caleb Paul, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
