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Copperhead Snake or Highland Moccasin
Colouration.—Above hazel brown, with large cross-bands of rich, chestnut brown. These bands are narrow on the back, and very broad on the sides, and when looked at from above resemble the outlines of an hour glass. Beneath, the colour is pinkish-white, with a row of large dark spots on each side of the abdomen.
Dimensions.—The Copperhead is not a large serpent. After examining several hundred specimens the writer has failed to find a single individual which attained a length of four feet. The largest specimen he has examined was three feet, nine inches in length. It was captured in Georgia, near the coast. This length is considerably above the average of large specimens. The following detailed measurements relate to what might be termed a large example of the species:
Distribution.—The eastern and central portions of the United States generally, from Massachusetts (inclusive) to the northern portions of Florida; westward to Illinois, and in the extreme South to the Rio Grande in Texas.
Distribution.—Western New York to Nebraska; Canada to Kansas.
Distribution.—Southwestern United States.
Distribution.—Southeastern United States.
Moderate in size and proportionately more slender than the preceding species. The scales are strongly keeled, and the majority of the plates on the underside of the tail are in a single row.
From the sides, the majority of the bands appear as blunt Y's with the stems directed upward. On most specimens several of the bands are broken on the back, forming inverted V-or Y-shaped blotches on the sides. All of the bands are darker at their borders, and with some specimens they enclose light patches of colour that match the general hue of the body.
Head Markings.--The head is usually of a paler tint than the body--often evincing a coppery tinge--hence the popular name. The upper lips are of a lighter shade than the top of the head, the line of intersection between the two hues beginning behind the eye and extending to the angle of the mouth.
Variations of Colour.--The ground-colour varies into different shades of brown and gray, but the pattern remains strong and constant, although some specimens occurring inland are dark with an obscure pattern. The writer has examined several specimens of this colour phase from Ohio. They were of a rich, dark brown, with little trace of the bands.
Specimens from Texas are very striking in colouration. With such reptiles the bands are fewer in number, very wide and distinctly reddish. The pattern is further intensified by a narrow, whitish border on most of the bands. With such specimens, the tip of the tail is greenish-yellow, demonstrating that these Texas specimens exhibit a peculiar tendency to retain a trace of the brilliant yellow tail of all the New World snakes of this genus, even to maturity, which is a character in direct variance with specimens from the Eastern States.
When closely examined the majority of specimens will be seen to have the sides thickly powdered with minute, black dots.
The colour of the tongue of this species is rather at variance with snakes in general. This organ is usually red at the base, with whitish forked portion.
Total Length . . . . . 33 inches.
Length of Tail . . . . . 4 1/2 inches.
Diameter of Body . . . . . 1 1/4 inches.
Width of Head . . . . . 1 inches.
Length of Head . . . . . 1 3/8 inches.
Habits of the Copperhead Snake
While alleged to possess a most vicious disposition, the Copperhead Snake by no means displays more hostility than the other poisonous snakes. Like the Moccasin, it becomes very tame in captivity, where it thrives and breeds, showing more vivacity than the Southern snake, but a generally good-natured demeanour toward man.
Often in transferring these snakes from one cage to another, the writer has noted their even temper. After being a few days captive, they seldom "strike" and soon begin feeding regularly, a sign among reptiles generally that temper and health are good.
In the Northern States the Copperhead frequents rocky places, usually in the vicinity of moderately thick timber, marshy glades or hollows. Here these snakes find abundance of food in the shape of birds, small rodents and frogs. They also feed upon other snakes. Stone quarries that have been the scene of much blasting and final desertion, are often selected as the abodes of numbers of these reptiles, which hibernate in the deep clefts of the rocks. In the South, judging from the writer's experience, the Copperhead does not frequent the swamps and lowgrounds as does the timber rattlesnake which is distributed over much the same areas as the species in question and in the North occurs in similar rocky situations with the latter. It seeks higher and drier ground. In the coast regions of Georgia and North Carolina none of these snakes was taken in the immediate neighbourhood of the many swamps and stretches of lowground. However, they were moderately common on the neighbouring plantations, where the ground was suitable for planting.