Copperhead Snake Fact Sheet

Contortrix agkistrodon contortrix is a species of venomous snake found in north america a member of the crotalinae pit viper subfamily.

Copperhead snake fact sheet.

There are five clearly defined subspecies. Adult copperheads typically measure between 22 to 36 inches 56 to 91 cm in length. There are five supspecies of copperheads. Copperhead snakes are medium sized snakes with adults normally reaching 80 centimetres 1 2 metres 2 4 feet with thick heavy bodies.

Adult copperhead snakes have a coppery coloured head and neck. This snake has excellent camouflage that allows it to hide among the leaves and dirt of the forest floor. It is the most abundant venomous snake on military lands. Copperhead fact sheet kingdom.

While it is a venomous snake the copperhead s bite is rarely fatal. The bands are mostly hourglass shaped with the wider portions of the shape on either side of the snake s body and the narrower part of the shape crossing the snake s back over the tailbone. The northern copperhead has an unmarked copper colored head and reddish brown coppery body with chestnut brown crossbands. Copperheads are thick bodied snakes with keeled scales.

Their body is more slender however compared to most other pit vipers. They re also the most likely to bite although their venom is relatively mild and their bites are rarely fatal for. The scientific name of this species is agkistrodon contortrix.