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Broad-banded Copperhead
Photograph by Ray Rauch, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. License: Public Domain. |
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REPTILE FACTS
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Description
The Broad-banded Copperhead is light tan with broad reddish-brown or copper bands with a very thin white border. The number of bands varies from 10 to 17. It has a large head and hinged fangs that spring out when striking at prey or in defence. Young are usually much lighter in color with greenish yellow tips to their tails.
Size
length 50cm - 75cm
Environment
forest, woodland, where it may be found amongst the cover of fallen branches, dried leaves, pine needles
Food
small rodents, ground birds, lizards, large insects, frogs and other small snakes
Breeding
live bearing with litters from three to ten young. The newborn snakes are left to fend for themselves and have fully developed senses and venom.
Range
central Texas, Oklahoma to south Kansas.
Notes
Bites to humans are very uncommon. Symptoms of bites include intense pain, tingling, throbbing, swelling, and severe nausea. Bite can cause muscle damage. Seek immediate medical attention if bitten.
Classification
| Class: | Reptilia | | Order: | Squamata (Serpentes) | | Family: | Viperidae | | Genus: | Agkistrodon | | Species: | contortrix laticinctus | | Common Name: | Broad-banded Copperhead |
Relatives in same Genus
Common Cantil (A. bilineatus bilineatus)
Ornate Cantil (A. bilineatus taylori)
Southern Copperhead (A. contortrix contortrix)
Northern Copperhead (A. contortrix mokasen)
Osage Copperhead (A. contortrix phaeogaster)
Trans-pecos Copperhead (A. contortrix pictigaster)
Florida Cottonmouth (A. piscivorus conanti)
Western Cottonmouth (A. piscivorus leucostoma)
Eastern Cottonmouth (A. piscivorus piscivorus)
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