The Southern Copperhead, Agkistrodon c. contortrix, has always been
one of my favorite snakes. Since moving to Acadiana, I have found several of these beauties, mostly on the Zoo of Acadiana's grounds. Typically, a normal find would measure no more than 10-12". I was constantly wondering..."where were all the adults!?". All of these little guys were still sporting their yellow tips to the tails. As some of you already know, the young snakes use these colorful tips as lures, mocking small worms to entice prey species to approach closer. As the older the snake gets, it loses the need for this strategy, and thus loses the yellow-tipped tail. Other members of this genus such as cottonmouths (or water moccasins), A. piscivirous, also employ this technique. I once found what appeared to be a subadult copperhead in the Sandhill Crane exhibit. Evidently, the birds had their way with the snake, as there was only about 1/4 of the animal left intact. Judging by the size of the head and what remained behind the neck, I estimated this snake to be roughly 20".
In the last couple of weeks, I have been doing a lot of work out in the Atchafalaya Basin. Most of the study sites are around Whiskey Bay, Indian Bayou, Butte La Rose and Sherburne WMA. In one day, we found two NICE adult copperheads within ten minutes of each other. The first was clearly the largest individual I had ever encountered in the wild, estimated at 25-26". This snake was found while flipping a bunch of old tin siding that had been discarded in the woods at the end of Happy Town Rd. Continuing back up Happy Town Rd., we then turned right on Refuge Rd., then onto Landing Rd. Landing Rd. comes to an end where motorized vehicles are prohibited. There is however, another section of road that cuts off to the right called "Pipeline Rd."...not an "official" name. At the end of this road, there is a small, run-down shack with loads of human trash scattered about in the woods. While flipping the second piece of cover (an old van seat), I found a second copperhead that rivaled the first. This snake must have been an easy 30" in length, and sporting good girth too! (see picture) I have returned to this very spot on four more occasions, obtaining more photographs. Two of those trips were made at night, and the snake was not home. We figured it was out and about foraging for frogs.
one of my favorite snakes. Since moving to Acadiana, I have found several of these beauties, mostly on the Zoo of Acadiana's grounds. Typically, a normal find would measure no more than 10-12". I was constantly wondering..."where were all the adults!?". All of these little guys were still sporting their yellow tips to the tails. As some of you already know, the young snakes use these colorful tips as lures, mocking small worms to entice prey species to approach closer. As the older the snake gets, it loses the need for this strategy, and thus loses the yellow-tipped tail. Other members of this genus such as cottonmouths (or water moccasins), A. piscivirous, also employ this technique. I once found what appeared to be a subadult copperhead in the Sandhill Crane exhibit. Evidently, the birds had their way with the snake, as there was only about 1/4 of the animal left intact. Judging by the size of the head and what remained behind the neck, I estimated this snake to be roughly 20".In the last couple of weeks, I have been doing a lot of work out in the Atchafalaya Basin. Most of the study sites are around Whiskey Bay, Indian Bayou, Butte La Rose and Sherburne WMA. In one day, we found two NICE adult copperheads within ten minutes of each other. The first was clearly the largest individual I had ever encountered in the wild, estimated at 25-26". This snake was found while flipping a bunch of old tin siding that had been discarded in the woods at the end of Happy Town Rd. Continuing back up Happy Town Rd., we then turned right on Refuge Rd., then onto Landing Rd. Landing Rd. comes to an end where motorized vehicles are prohibited. There is however, another section of road that cuts off to the right called "Pipeline Rd."...not an "official" name. At the end of this road, there is a small, run-down shack with loads of human trash scattered about in the woods. While flipping the second piece of cover (an old van seat), I found a second copperhead that rivaled the first. This snake must have been an easy 30" in length, and sporting good girth too! (see picture) I have returned to this very spot on four more occasions, obtaining more photographs. Two of those trips were made at night, and the snake was not home. We figured it was out and about foraging for frogs.
After all this excitment, the staff at the zoo called me to say they had captured a copperhead, and wanted to dispose of it. I offered to go by and pick up the snake and release it. This individual was a young adult most likely, measuring ca. 18-20". Ellen and I took the snake out to Cade, and released it...but not before I could grab some pictures!
So in conclusion, so far this herp season seemes very promising for snakes. Besides all the copperheads, I also have encountered most of our small snake species already. But, that's a separate post altogether. Happy herpin'!
James
So in conclusion, so far this herp season seemes very promising for snakes. Besides all the copperheads, I also have encountered most of our small snake species already. But, that's a separate post altogether. Happy herpin'!
James
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