The eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) is a native and common venomous snake found throughout North Carolina. This pit viper inhabits all three major geographical regions: the Mountains, the Piedmont, and the Coastal Plain. Because the copperhead is widespread and tolerant of human development, it accounts for over 90% of all venomous snakebites reported in the state. While a bite is medically serious and requires immediate attention, it is rarely life-threatening to a healthy adult.
Physical Characteristics and Identifying Features
The copperhead’s primary identifier is its distinctive pattern. The body color is typically a pale tan, pinkish-tan, or grayish-tan base. Over this base, the snake displays dark chestnut-brown crossbands that narrow significantly along the spine, creating an hourglass shape. This pattern is often described as resembling a “Hershey’s Kiss.”
Adult copperheads are heavy-bodied, usually reaching 2 to 3 feet in length. As a pit viper, the copperhead possesses a broad, triangular head that is distinctly wider than its neck, accommodating the venom glands. A small heat-sensing pit is located on each side of the head, between the eye and the nostril.
The snake gets its common name from the coppery-brown color often seen on the top of its head. Like other pit vipers, the copperhead has vertical, elliptical pupils. Juvenile copperheads have the same hourglass pattern as adults but possess a bright yellow or greenish-yellow tail tip, which they use to lure prey.
Where Copperheads Are Found in North Carolina
Copperheads are found statewide, except on some barrier islands, thriving across North Carolina’s diverse habitats. They prefer transitional zones where woodlands meet open areas, such as forest edges, rocky hillsides, and stream banks. Their camouflage is effective on the forest floor, which is often littered with fallen leaves.
Their tolerance for human presence means they are frequently found in suburban and urban environments. They seek refuge in places that offer cover, including under logs, rocks, and landscaping debris. Homeowners often find them near woodpiles, under sheds, or in neglected garden areas that provide shelter and prey.
In the Mountains, they are found on rocky outcroppings and ledges, sometimes sharing dens with timber rattlesnakes during winter brumation. In the Coastal Plain, they utilize wooded areas, including pine flatwoods and swamps. Copperheads are active from April through September, preferring cover and warmth.
Understanding Risk and Safety Protocols
The risk associated with a copperhead bite is manageable because the venom is hemotoxic, causing pain, swelling, and tissue damage, but rarely resulting in fatality. Nonetheless, any bite must be treated as a medical emergency requiring immediate hospital attention. Most bites occur when a person accidentally steps on or attempts to handle the snake, which tends to freeze rather than flee.
To prevent encounters, wear closed-toe shoes or boots, especially when walking in wooded areas or clearing debris. Always look carefully before stepping over logs or reaching into dark, hidden spaces. Keep the area around your home clear of clutter, such as leaf piles and tall weeds, which serve as ideal hiding spots.
If a bite occurs, remain calm and call for emergency medical services immediately. Remove any constricting clothing or jewelry from the affected limb before swelling begins. Immobilize the bitten area and keep it at or below the level of the heart while awaiting medical help. Avoid harmful folk remedies, such as applying a tourniquet, cutting the wound, or attempting to suck out the venom.