Copperheads

The northern copperhead is a member of the viper family that can grow to a length of 3 feet or longer. Copperheads live in the LaurelLake area. They have a large, flat, triangular shaped head that is copper colored. They also have cat-like pupils. The snake's body is copper colored with around 20 brown hour glass shaped crossbands on their back side. There is a pit on each side of the snake's head between their eye and nostril.

In the fall, copperheads return to their dens for winter hibernation.

The northern copperhead can be found almost anywhere, but it is most often encountered on rocky hillsides or wooded mountainous areas. Copperheadsare the most active from April to October, through the daylight hours. Theybecome nocturnal when the weather gets warmer. They remain in the area of hibernation for sometime after emergence.

A copperhead's diet consists of rodents, frogs, insects, and lizards. The northern copperhead is reluctant to strike unless it is provoked. The bites arenot severe when medical treatment is performed.

Northern copperheads mate usually in April or May, shortly after the snakesemerge from hibernation. The number of offspring can be 1 to as many as 12 or 14usually from August to October.The newborn copperheads are about 7 to 10 inches in length. Female copperheads bear young every two years. Male copperheads reach maturity when they are about two years old. Female copperheads become mature when they are about three years old.

The northern copperhead can be found all over the eastern United States. Usually, it is not aggressive, but will bite if surprised.