The lovely creature was found out in the open on a sandy road. They are a highly adaptable species that can live in a variety of habitats, and that includes near human settlements and even construction sites! They are found in many areas of the U.S. including Massachusetts, Illinois, Texas and Ohio. This is a young southern copperhead, and the scientific name is Agkistrodon contortrix. They are found in eastern Texas and eastern Oklahoma but also in Nebraska, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York. In this footage, we are treated to a close-up view of the copper-colored head and pink body with dark hour-glass bands. The tip of the tail is yellow and is used as a lure to attract lizards, frogs and other prey. These are not huge snakes, with the largest ones being around four feet long. We know that this is a young animal because of its small size. Copperheads have been described as “ambush predators”. This means that they sit and wait – until some unsuspecting prey stumbles past, and then they strike with amazing speed. They feed on insects, other invertebrates, small mammals, and birds. Once they have plunged their fangs into the prey and released their venom, they either hold the victim in their mouth as it dies, or the copperhead follow it and wait for it to become immobile. Then, they eat their meal whole by fully opening their hinged jaws. These guys only need to eat around once a month! The strike is an integral part of how they hunt, and they are very good at it! The copperhead snake in this video strikes a total of 12 times, so we get to view it in detail. It starts from an elongated position and the strike is so powerful that the whole body is lifted off the ground. It lands in the classic viper-coiled position from which it launches the other strikes. They are very impressive in real time but once the footage is slowed down you can really appreciate the power and the accuracy of the strike. The head is extended forward with explosive speed, it is no wonder that it is such an efficient hunting mechanism. Having provided us with such a magnificent display of its hunting prowess, this particular copperhead is gently moved from the road and to a safe location amongst the trees where it can get on with its day!
Are Copperheads Usually This Touchy?
Copperheads are ambush predators and generally lie in wait and then strike fast. While they are more likely to bite than other snakes, they will generally leave you alone if you leave them alone. They don’t usually continue to bite unless they feel threatened. The maker of this video was provoking the snake so that he could film the strike. Definitely not something you would want to do!
Up Next:
Copperhead vs Oak Snake: What are the Differences?How to Identify a Copperhead: The 5 Step Guide (With Pictures)Is Baby Copperhead Venom More Dangerous Than Adults?
