As summer nears,
venomous copperheads
In South Carolina, people will turn out en masse, but numerous somewhat-less-risky imitators will join them as well.
Are you aware of their distinctions?
Possessing this information can assist both you and others in steering clear of hazardous scenarios or stopping the unnecessary death of innocent, nonvenomous serpents. After all, numerous such reptiles play a crucial role in keeping rodent and pest numbers in check.
Below is a guide for recognizing copperheads and their frequently confused counterparts in South Carolina.
Ways to recognize a copperhead snake
One of the six venomous snake species found in South Carolina is the copperhead.
The copperhead earns its name due to the tan hue resembling copper found on its head as well as certain areas along its body.
Clemson Cooperative Extension
States. Copperheads possess triangle-shaped heads akin to arrowheads and can reach lengths of up to four feet.
Copperheads possess an hourglass-like marking along their body, running from the head to the tail. This distinctive pattern serves as camouflage when they coil themselves, resembling a cluster of fallen leaves. Similar to many poisonous snakes found in South Carolina, copperheads exhibit yellow eyes with black vertical and elliptical irises.
Corn Snake
According to the Clemson Cooperative Extension, the corn snake is one of the most frequently misidentified nonvenomous snakes as a copperhead. Despite not having the characteristic flat, broad heads and markings resembling an hourglass, their appearance can still be misleading.
bright reddish color
They can make them seem from afar as though they have a copperhead snake’s metallic sheen.
The striped patterns along corn snakes’ bodies do nothing to reduce the confusion. Additionally, corn snakes possess round pupils, a common feature among harmless snake species.
Northern Water Snake
The
northern water snake
It is a sizable, harmless serpent with a comparable design and hue to that of copperheads.
The pattern of the northern water snake consists of narrow dark markings along the sides which become broader towards the spine. In contrast, copperheads have a marking pattern where these darker patches are wide near the sides and taper off as they approach the spine.
Northern water snakes also possess circular pupils.
Eastern Milk Snake
Eastern milk snakes exhibit a comparable pattern and coloring to copperheads. As stated by the source,
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
Eastern milk snakes typically inhabit mountainous woodland areas.
The nonvenomous milk snake can be distinguished from copperheads by the absence of a consistent hourglass shape. Copperheads possess this feature.
one row of crossbands
down its body, compared to the milk snake’s three to five rows of blotches down its body. Also, the copperhead has keeled scales, while the milk snake has smooth scales.
Mole King Snake
The mole king snake squeezes its prey rather than employing venom, primarily targeting tiny mammals like rodents. These snakes typically reside beneath the earth’s surface and are most often spotted crossing pathways or streets.
DNR states
.
These serpents usually reach lengths of around 3 feet, featuring smooth, light-brown scales adorned with dark brown spots.
making them appear similar
To Copperheads. In contrast to copperheads, mole king snakes are smaller and more slender with proportionally smaller, tilted heads.
Banded Water Snakes
These
nonvenomous snakes
Have a comparable reddish-brown coloring to copperheads. These snakes are often located close to water sources and may occasionally encounter copperheads, as these prefer residing in the swamps of South Carolina.
Identifying their species might be challenging, yet banded water snakes definitely do not possess the distinctive hourglass pattern found on venomous copperheads. Additionally, banded water snakes feature significantly smaller heads.
