Copperhead Rattlesnake
Agkistrodon contortrix
Despite the informal name, a rattle-less pit viper with a distinctive coppery, hourglass-banded pattern found across the eastern US.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.6-0.9 m (2-3 ft)
- Range
- Eastern and central United States
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Overview
Sometimes informally called the 'copperhead rattlesnake,' this species is actually a true copperhead, a pit viper closely related to rattlesnakes and cottonmouths but lacking a rattle. It is one of the most commonly encountered venomous snakes in the eastern United States, often found in suburban woodlands and gardens.
Copperheads rely heavily on camouflage, and their calm temperament combined with a preference for standing their ground rather than fleeing leads to more bites than many more dangerous species, though bites are rarely fatal.
How to identify it
- Coppery tan to pinkish-brown body with darker hourglass or saddle-shaped crossbands
- Broad, triangular, coppery-colored head distinct from the neck
- Vertical pupils and visible heat-sensing pits
- No rattle on the tail, distinguishing it from true rattlesnakes
- Distinguished from young cottonmouths and other patterned snakes by the hourglass-shaped bands, narrower in the middle
Habitat & range
Found in deciduous forests, rocky hillsides, wetland edges, and increasingly suburban areas across the eastern and central United States, often near woodpiles, rock outcrops, and leaf litter.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal in warm months, more diurnal in cooler weather. Feeds on rodents, insects, amphibians, and small reptiles. Relies heavily on camouflage, often remaining motionless rather than fleeing when approached. Ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young in late summer or fall.
Frequently asked questions
Does the copperhead have a rattle?
No, despite sometimes being informally called a 'copperhead rattlesnake,' it lacks a rattle entirely.
How dangerous is a copperhead bite?
Its venom is less potent than many other pit vipers, and bites, while medically significant, are rarely fatal.
Why do copperhead bites happen relatively often?
Their strong camouflage and tendency to freeze rather than flee mean people sometimes step near or on them unknowingly.
What does a copperhead eat?
Rodents, insects, amphibians, and small reptiles.
Copperhead Rattlesnake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Copperhead Rattlesnake.
