Northern Copperhead

Description:

Spotted in Harlan County, Kentucky on Little Black Mtn. during a hard rain. The iconic Northern Copperhead has many common names such as highland moccasin, beech-leaf snake, chunk head, copper (adder), copper-bell, copper belly, copperhead moccasin, copperhead viper, copper snake, copper viper, deaf adder, deaf snake, harlequin snake, hazel head, North American copperhead snake, northern copperhead, pilot, poplar leaf, rattlesnake pilot, rattlesnake's mate, red adder, red eye, red snake, red viper, thunder snake, upland moccasin, white oak snake, adder. Although poisonous this snake is lethargic in nature unless provoked. This snake is young but not too young. The yellow tip on the tail is normally not seen in adults.

Habitat:

Rocky, wooded hillsides and mountainous areas are favorite habitats.

Notes:

Copperheads are gregarious, especially in autumn, when they assemble at hibernating dens or denning areas, often in company of other species of snakes. Great numbers of harmless snakes are killed in the mistaken belief they are copperheads.