Southern Copperhead (May 16, 2007) Conroe, Texas

Southern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix) Highly venomous, Capable of striking at objects within half the length of its body, though the normal strike is no more than 10-12 inches even for mature specimens.  BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS, DO NOT APPROACH THIS SNAKE; DECAPITATED SPECIMENS REMAIN CAPABLE OF INFLICTING DEADLY BITES.

Photos courtesy of Don A.; text by Jerry Cates

The southern copperhead is a pale-colored race within the contortrix species, and is distinguished from the two other races found in Texas (the broad banded copperhead, A. contortrix laticinctus, and the Trans-Pecos copperhead, A. contortrix pictigaster) by the hour-glass-shape of its dark-edged crossbands.  The species name, contortrix, signifies that its markings are pinched, so this race is the archetype for the species, but the markings of the other two races are not pinched (i.e., having the appearance of being compressed) at the spine as this one's are.  The snake preys on small vertebrates, a few invertebrates, and birds.

This specimen is about 18 inches long, and had been cornered by Don's dog in his back yard.  Don noted that it struck at the hoe he used to move the snake, and that its fangs were visible on each strike.  The tail is a dark color, and pointed; note that juveniles of all snakes in the genus Agkistrodon have sulfur-yellow tails, so this specimen, though still immature, is beyond the juvenile stage.  The photo below was sent in later by Don, and shows the markings better.  The small elongated objects scattered on the body are fire ants.

 Many thanks to Don A., the photographer, for sending the photos and a report on this snake's discovery in his back yard.

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