| Description Range and Distrobution
Reproduction
Habitat
Threats to Population
Behavior
Works Cited
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The copperhead ranges from 75 to 125 cm (30 to
50 in) in length. Its body varies from a bronze, brown, or pinkish-brown body and is
marked with bands of darker brown hourglass patterns. The tip of the tail is an olive
color. The subspecies are distinguished based on their color variations. The Trans-Pecos
Copperhead is the smallest of the subspecies and has "a light colored inverted
"U" at the base of each crossband" (Keown 1997-2000). The Broad-Banded
Copperhead lacks the lighter area of the Trans-Pecos variety. The bands of the Southern
Copperhead are constricted near their bases and are not as distinct from the background
color as those of the other two varieties (Keown 1997-2000). Copperhead
snakes are venomous. Adult snakes produce 40 to 72 mg of venom that causes hemorrhaging,
pain, swelling, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, gangrene, necrosis, headaches, and even
unconsciousness (Milton, Jr. and Minton 1969). About 100 mg is required to be lethal in
humans, but less than 0.5% of bites result in death (Wandor 1988). |
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