A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix
The copperhead is a mildly venomous snake, easily recognized by the dark and light brown saddles running down the length of its body.
They are usually found in oak forests, where they are very easily passed up by camouflaging so well with the same colored oak leaves.
Found while road cruising.
Spotted on Apr 7, 2012
Submitted on Oct 12, 2012
10 Comments
Let's hike to our heart's content!!!
Yea, just stay at a safe distance and you can take all the pictures you want! As a general rule, snakes can strike up to half their body length, so if you stay further than that away from it you will be fine. It's so much easier to appreciate them and respect them than to be scared of them! They really are such neat creatures
Thanks Ashley and Lauren that is what it is about, Being alert!! and sometimes I think what if.......
I love hiking too much and am very fascinated with snakes.I will go hiking when I am alert and have all my wits about me.
Oh that is interesting. Actually I will be going on a hike when it warms up next month where there might be rattlesnakes. What should I do if I see one. Back up slowly? Of course I will try to get a photo if I am at a safe distance. My camera is pretty good up to x 20-24 zoom.
Of course not, Jemma! Yes, many snakes are very good at blending in and I don't even want to think about all the ones I have passed up, but they are nothing to be afraid of! As long as you are aware of where you are walking and pay attention to your surroundings you will be fine :) I've had people be sitting inches away from a rattlesnake and not even know it, and the snake is just sitting there doing nothing. They want nothing to do with you, unless you step on them or are trying to kill them, that when they will defend themselves and bite.
Jemma, I hiked everywhere on and around Mt. Diablo and never had trouble with rattlers. They are more afraid of you and slither away quick. Just watch where you put your hand or boot when climbing rocks in case one is sunning itself and doesn't notice you coming.
Hahaha you crack me up! I would much rather you run away from it than try to kill it like most people do. I never actually touch the venomous snakes, I always handle them with tongs. While trying to get them to pose for a picture, I just put them on the ground a throw a hat over them. This gives them an area to feel safe in, and they usually curl up. Then you remove the hat with the tongs and they generally stay curled up for awhile. I have a video that shows this that I will be uploading later this week with two western diamondback rattlesnakes we found :)
and that brings me to a question. I love hiking. But there are Rattle snakes on Mt Diablo. Should that deter me from hiking?
Oh, I forgot to say, "I hate you for this. I am so jealous." HA!
Well, good to know that it is only mildly venomous. I was scared for my first snake spot 2012 (March) and it was only an Eastern Garter Snake. I got over my fear. Except if I come across a rattler or this, RUN FOR MY LIFE.