copperhead

Range: Large portion of South East and lower mid-western United States. Including Smoky Mountains of east Tennessee Habitat: Forested regions as well as human agricultural areas. This species is not aquatic, but is generally not found far from a source of freshwater. Natural Diet: Small mammals, Fish, Lizards. Known to also eat amphibians such as frogs and salamanders. Avoids toads due to the toxicity of the skin. Diet at Rain Forest: Pre-killed rodents Size: 2-3 feet, thin animal with wide head and narrow neck. Rain Forest Facts: Often killed by humans this relatively harmless snake is both shy and reclusive. Often found near a source of water, the Copperhead is a small snake, as a result of it's size the bite to humans is rarely a serious threat. The bite from a Copperhead causes instant pain and swelling. The snake however rarely delivers much venom, a small head, coupled with small teeth tend to result in a relatively small amount of venom being injected into the bite victim. Copperhead venom is mildly hemotoxic and causes damage to the immediate bite area and surrounding tissue in humans. In the small prey items that are bitten by the Copperhead the result is quite different, a small mouse may have only 1/2,000th the body weight of a human, this small body mass is quickly overwhelmed by the venom and the rodent rapidly succumbs to the effects. Even animals as large as a small dog (15-35 pounds) often survive a copperhead bite with little more than localized swelling and occasionally small amounts of tissue loss. Unlike some other predators it has been noted that the copperhead will often times attempt to bite and hold its prey item. The rattlesnake family for example tends to strike and release the prey item allowing the rodent to run away, the rattlesnake will then follow a scent trail to the victim. The venom of the rattlesnake is much more potent and is generally delivered in larger quantities, this may account for the rattlesnake quickly striking and releasing, the snake has confidence the venom will do its job. It is assumed that the copperhead holds its prey since the venom of the copperhead is not as potent as the other pit vipers in North America. Many myths and legends exist about this snake, one common myth is that a child has been bitten while playing with a "nest" of copperhead babies that are mistaken for worms! False on many fronts this urban legend is often repeated by individuals who claim to actually have been there!!! Copperheads utilize caudal luring to catch prey. This picture is of a young copperhead displaying caudal luring tail coloration. Status in Wild: Stable, is often the most frequently encountered venomous snake in the eastern United States. Generally found near a body of fresh water.