Natural History: The Coppperhead Snake

    While at the Sand Dunes archery range in Myrtle Beach, SC, my father and I stumbled upon a copperhead snake. The Copperhead snake, also known as Akgistrodon controtrix, is a member of the pit viper group, Crotalinae. Copperhead’s are native to the United States and are commonly found in the southeast. They are typically found in forests and woodlands, and the archery range we encountered the snake on was surrounded by woodlands. They can also be found in wetlands and entering water.

    The copperhead we discovered was slightly larger than 2 feet, typically, they can range from 20in to 34in. Male copperheads tend to have longer tails, while females are greater in length. At a closer observation, we were able to determine the copperhead to be a male. These snakes can be recognized with a copper colored body, brown crossbands, and keeled scales.
    Copperheads are known to be social snakes, as they hibernate, court, eat, and drink in areas near one another. They will often attempt to overpower one another during mating seasons but pinning one another to the grown. Copperheads are carnivores; they typically consume mice, small birds, lizards, other snakes, etc. They have fangs which they use to inject prey and swallow it whole. It uses it’s heat sensitive pits to detect warm species.
    I was slightly shocked as I had nearly stepped on the snake, not expecting him to be in an area with a large amount of people around as pit vipers tend to avoid humans. Due to the venomous nature of the copperhead, many members of the archery club wanted to dispatch the animal. Disregarding its venomous nature and worrying more for its life, my father was able to capture the snake and release it into the woods. Although, I would not recommend grabbing it with your bare hands like my father, as shown below.