Multiple copperheads found in Brazoria County Texas under corrugated aluminum. Southern Copperheads (agkistrodon contortrix contortrix ) are common pit vipers over much of the Southeastern United States.
They're practically invisible when laying in dry leaves and often go unnoticed. One of the reasons they adapt so well to human presence.
Adults are around usually two to two and a half feet long (50-95 cm) And juveniles look very similar. Newborns will lose their opaque appearance after their first shed in a few days. Southern copperheads are ovoviviparous which means eggs incubate inside the mother's body and babies are born live. Juveniles have an alluring yellow tail they use to entice frogs and lizards over for dinner.
Copperheads first line of defense is their camouflage and usually freeze when annoying humans come around, But if you push your luck, they'll tag you. Copperhead bites are seldom fatal due to the small dose of venom injected. Here are a few safety precautions that should prevent you from ever getting bitten.
1. Be careful where you put your hands and bare feet.
2. Never lick a copperhead on it's mouth.
3 And NEVER stick one up your nose... they hate that.