Copperheads dangerous?

Question

Hi!

Are copprrheads dangerous? how dangerous are they if they are? I found a baby copperhead in my basement. Also where would its mom be - so it dosen't come out of no where so I can be ready for it.

Thanks,
Mr. JJ

Answer 1

extremely dangerous! very poisonous! dont try to do it by yourself! call in professionals! you dont want to die do you?

Answer 2

Let's clear up a few things.

Snake venom is measured in what is called the LD50- 'lethal dose that kills 50% of the same-size test subjects'. The LOWER the LD50, the MORE dangerous the toxin is.

The next question is venom yield- how much toxin does the animal carry with it.

Some snakes do not have very toxic venom, but carry a TON of it, so are incredibly dangerous. Some, like most cobras, don't carry much, but the venom is very toxic. A Timber Rattler has a large yield, and a LD50 of 3.1- not very toxic since the average cobra is 0.5mg/kg. Eastern Diamondback is 14.6mg/kg- even less toxic than the Timber- but they carry a lot of the stuff.

The Copperhead's venom LD50 is 25.6mg/kg- a very low toxicity! About 1/2 as toxic as a Diamondback, or about 1/10th as dangerous as a Timber Rattler!

The average adult Copperhead does not even carry enough venom in its head to kill a small adult if it injected every last drop.

A baby snake's venom is not significantly more concentrated, and they carry less- this whole 'more dangerous than an adult' bit is an urban legend.

Copperheads are considered non-venomous by many people in its range because it is such a calm-tempered animal that it rarely bites, and when it does, the victim rarely feels much beyond a bad wasp sting.

The mom won't be nearby. Small snakes often enter houses by accident looking for shelter, and getting trapped there. They WANT to be out where they can find their food, water, etc. Once the eggs are laid in most species, the mom provides absolutely no care, and does not stay near them.

Answer 3

Copperheads(Agkistrodon contortrix)ARE venomous, and bites are not pleasant, but they are not usually fatal. Recently, an elderly man in TX died after being bitten by a Copperhead, but an investigation is still on-going to determine if another factor, such as a heart condition, might have been involved. Copperhead bites typically produce severe pain and swelling, as well as discoloration of skin and tissue, and if left untreated, can result in infection and even gangrene, since this snake's venom is designed to break down tissue and blood vessels. It's not unusual, though, for a Copperhead to inflict a "dry" bite, in which it injects little or no venom, so symptoms are not always severe.

Are you sure that the snake you found in your basement was a baby Copperhead? It's rather unsual for venomous snakes to enter human dwellings in North America, and almost always, snakes found indoors are members of the Ratsnake(Elaphe)family. Every snake I've ever been called out to remove from a house, and every dead snake I've ever been shown that was killed in a house, has been either a Cornsnake or a Black Ratsnake, both harmless. Cornsnakes are often mistaken for Copperheads due to their bright orange coloration, and baby Ratsnakes don't look anything like adults. Copperhead snakes do not display maternal care instincts; once the babies are born, they are on their own and are able to live independently from the mother, so finding a baby snake does not necessarily mean that the mother is nearby. Prior to hibernation, snakes can travel for many miles in search of food and shelter, so the snake you found could have been born or hatched(in the case of a Ratsnake)many miles from your home.

Answer 4

Yes, copperheads are venomous and dangerous. A baby copperhead has a full load of venom. Copperheads, like most snakes leave their offspring to fend for themselves at birth, so there may or may not be others in your basement. Be careful especially around any piles of lumber or other materials that may be a place for them to hide. If you have rats or mice, it would be a good idea to put out some poison and get rid of them since snakes tend to hang out where food is plentiful and rats and mice are their natural prey.

Answer 5

ok your getting all these answers saying that they can kill you which they will not copperhead venom will cause massive tissue damage and nerve damage i mean dont get me wrong they can kill a small child but your best bet is to call your local exterminater and have him or her check the house for more snakes and most of them will remove them for you DO NOT try to do it your self unless your are trained on handling snakes dont just go pulling furniture out and flipping things over because a snake could be there and you will get bit

Answer 6

I've heard that baby copperheads are more potent than the adults. I'm not sure that is true. I do know that they are more potent if they haven't bit anything recently. They can make you very sick. I don't think anyone has died from a copperhead bite.

Answer 7

A Copperhead snake bite needs medical attention, is extremely painful, and may cause extensive scarring and loss of use. Many people are bitten while trying to kill or handle the snake. Don't take chances -- avoid these snakes.

"Copperhead bites are typically not fatal," says Dr. Peter Bromley, N. C. Cooperative Extension Specialist in Zoology. Small animals, like small dogs, may receive a fatal bite from a copperhead. The venom causes local tissue destruction and secondary infection often sets in. If you or your pet are bitten by any snake that you suspect is venomous, get medial attention immediately. For the most part, if you let snakes alone, they'll leave you alone.
North Carolina has the dubious distinction of the most venomous snake bites of any state in the U.S. Many of these bites could be prevented by avoiding the snake instead of trying to kill it or pick it up. Avoid Copperhead snakes! Allow it to go on its way undisturbed. Copperheads bite more people in most years than any other U.S. species, but they also have the mildest venom. University of Georgia Professor Dr. Whit Gibbons is conducting research to learn why copperheads inflict the most bites.

The Copperhead is the most common venomous snake found in the eastern US. It is also known by the name "Highland Moccasin." As a species, it belongs to the genus "Agkistrodon" which also includes the Cottonmouth, also known as the "Water Moccasin".

Copperheads are usually colorful and strikingly patterned snakes. They derive their name from the copper-like coloring of the head. The background color of the back and sides is tan to pinkish. There are darker, chestnut colored bands across the back and sides. Each band is of varing width, often described as hour-glass shaped. Newborn Copperheads are colored and patterned like adults, excepting the last inch of so of the tail which will be a bright, sulfur yellow color.


Adults are usually in the range of 24 to 36 inches in length, although specimens of greater than 42 inches are not rare. They give live birth to young. Copperheads eat small rodents, birds, lizards, snakes, amphibians, and insects.

Copperheads are venomous, pit vipers. Copperheads account for more cases of venomous snake bite than any of our other species. Fortunately, their venom is the least toxic of our species. Bites from Copperheads are very seldom fatal; however, a bite may still produce serious consequences.

There are 2 subspecies of Copperheads occuring in South Carolina. Both subspecies appear very similar, although the Southern is usually lighter colored. The most widespread is the Southern Copperhead which ranges from the coast to the upper Piedmont. The Northern Copperhead is found in the Mountains and upper Piedmont. It is probable that most of the specimens from the Piedmont are intergrades although my experience has been that most appear more like Southerns.

Copperheads can be found in most all habitats, although they often prefer to be near streams and other waterways. They may be found on hilltops or lowlands. It is not unusual for Copperheads to be found in forested or undeveloped areas within and near suburban developments. The Copperhead is one of the most successful of our larger snake species. It is usually not difficult to find a Copperhead crossing a road on a warm summer night. Because of their habit of freezing at the approach of danger, many are killed by vehicle traffic.

Copperheads prefer habitats with lots of vines, vegetation and/or debris. Their coloration and patterning is very effective for camouflage in dead leaves on the forest floor. Copperheads rely upon camouflage and cover for safety. When danger is perceived, Copperheads will usually freeze in place and remain motionless for the threat to pass. This strategy works well in their natural habitat. Unless a person steps on them, grasps them, or otherwise comes very, very close to them, Copperheads will not usually bite. However, the bite will be readily used as a last defence. An agitated Copperhead will vibrate its tail rapidly. The relative abundance of Copperheads and their occurrences near human habitations is the reason bites from Copperheads are at the top of venomous snake bite statistics in the eastern US.

Answer 8

it is one of the most poison snakes in the states and a baby is worse than an adult the venom is more concentrated to help ensure its own survival

Answer 9

Yes they are poisonous. They have enough venom in there bite to kill you. Be careful.

Answer 10

They are one of the most poisonous snakes around. If you see one, neutralize it quickly.