Copperhead snake question....?

Question

So a Rattlesnake gives off a sound to warn you.

I was told a Copperhead will give off a cucumber smell as warning is this true? Can you tell me if there is anyway you can tell if you are close to a Copperhead? I hate these snakes....

Answer 1

The cucumber smell is a myth. No there is not a cucumber odor when approaching this snake. They do not give any warning before a strike. Thankfully, they tend to avoid confrontation whenever they are able. Hundreds of bites do occur every year though, from this snake, none have ever been fatal, but are dangerous without medical treatment. Most of these bites occur when the snake freezes and a person either steps on the snake or steps close enough to cause a strike. Well, you may ask, How could someone step so close to this large reptile and not know it? The answer is that the animals colors are an extremely good camouflage defense. It is very difficult to see them in their natural habitats. For this reason, is why they tend to "freeze" when approached.

Although, the venom of this snake is not deadly, this snake is a Pit Viper and it's venom is strong. Normally, the anti venom for this snake is NOT given to bite victims as the complications from the anti-venom outways the risks of the venom itself. The only time when this snakes venom is dangerous to humans, is when the bite occurs in an extremity, like a foot or a hand. Most human muscle tissue will absorb the venom without further damage to other muscles or organs. However, muscle damage at the bite site can be considerable without treatment. Keep in mind here, that the key words to this statement is "without treatment". If you are bitten and do not seek medical attention, you are in danger and a fool.

This is a beautiful snake, as I have handled many of them, and are generally very calm. However, do not ever take any snake as being calm, they all have their own personality, thus how one Copperhead reacts, may not be the way another reacts.

btw, I agree with the response about Garter Snakes and Ribbon Snakes. They have a very nasty disposition and emit a vulgar smell.

Check out some pix of this snake as it is a beautifully colored reptile.........I love them!!!!!!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Agkistrodon_contortrix_mokasen_CDC.png

Answer 2

No, copperheads do not give off a cucumber smell. Many time people walk right over snakes without seeing them.

I was bitten by a copperhead. Spent my Fourth of July 1998 in the ER. There is a great deal of pain with the bite and as the venom moves. In my case from my finger up my arm. Then the extremity becomes numb. It took me about 30 minutes to get to the ER and see a doctor. They put me on an IV, with antibodies and a blood thinner. Made me stay the night. Next day I felt like I had a bad hang over.

Hate and fear don't do you any good. Just be cautious when you are in copperhead areas. Don't panic if you get bitten. Stay calm. You'll know almost instantly if any venom gets in you. Get help or get to the neatest ER. You'll be fine. The real concern is if you are one of the unlucky few that are allergic to the venom or the bite. In that case you would be in serious trouble.

I read CMB's answer. He is very much mistaken. And the last time I check rehabers did not have to be federally licensed.

Answer 3

It does smell a bit like cucumber, I suppose. For what it's worth, I've never noticed this smell during the day, but then I prefer to leave Copperheads alone when I see them. They're pretty lazy and non-aggressive, and you have to work pretty hard to get one to bite you, as a rule. I have smelled that sort of smell at night once in a while, and assumed that a Copperhead was nearby (a reasonable assumption since they were rather common where I used to spend my summers, while cucumbers pretty much never wandered into my field areas..). Now for sheer stench power, give me a Garter or a Ribbon Snake any day - their defense (besides the Garter's enthusiastic biting) is to slap their tails and thus the sticky musk all over you, and boy is it potent. Hard to wash off, too.

Answer 4

Copperheads give off an unmistakeable musky aroma. The smell carries some distance and you can sometimes tell when there's one in the immediate area.

For Jim's comment; No, rehabbers don't HAVE to be federally licensed but the ones who are have spent one hell of alot of time studying, learning and have years of hands on experience.