Creatures of the Forest

By George Armond

The beautiful Lowcountry weather finds us spending a lot of time outside. As we enjoy our yards and explore nature, we also must stay alert for copperhead snakes.
Why?

There are 38 species of snakes found in South Carolina, but only six are venomous — including the copperhead.
Commonly seen in Beaufort County, copperhead snakes are also found throughout the state. (The other venomous snakes, according to S.C. Department of Natural Resources, are the coral snake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, and cottonmouth).

IDENTIFICATION
Copperhead snakes are light- to rich brown with darker brown hourglass-shaped markings across their backs, the narrow waist of the glass being at the center of their back, according to SCDNR. The head is typically a uniform copper color.

The copperhead has a yellow eye with a black vertical and elliptical pupil, like a cat’s eye, according to Clemson Cooperative Extension.

Their color and pattern are likened to fallen leaves, which is appropriate because copperheads are “creature(s) of the forest.”

“Its coloration serves as its main protective strategy, which is to remain motionless and hopefully not be seen,” the SCDNR website notes.
Typically, adult copperheads are about 24 to 30 inches long, but those longer than 3 feet are not rare.

WHERE THEY ARE FOUND
Copperheads are seen in a wide range of habitat types, including mountain coves, piedmont and coastal plain hardwood forests, longleaf pine forests and swamp forests. Copperheads feed on a variety of prey including small rodents, frogs, lizards and insects.

AWARENESS
Venomous snakes play a vital role in controlling rodent populations in many habitats. Their fangs and venom glands are developed to obtain food and are typically only used in defense as a last resort, DNR said.

When you walk through a potential copperhead habitat, the snake will likely spot you first and may try to move away, Clemson Extension said. As you get closer, it will curl up into its camouflage pile, and as you get closer, the copperhead will start to shake, or “rattle,” its tail to resemble a rattlesnake.

If you get closer, the copperhead will lift its head to show you it’s ready to bite if you keep provoking it. Copperheads are not aggressive but if you continue to provoke them, they will bite as a last resort to defend themselves.

Here are safety tips from SCDNR:
• Stay on trails that offer good visibility of the ground.
• Snake chaps (leggings) can provide adequate protection for legs.
• It is best to leave all snakes alone, if you don’t know how to identify them. Many people are bitten or harmed when trying to identify and then getting too close to a venomous snake.

The likelihood of a snakebite in South Carolina is extremely low, but if you are bitten by a venomous snake it is best not to try and treat the bite yourself. Stay calm (this can help slow the spread of venom) and seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Wash the wound with warm, soapy water immediately.

Do not apply ice or apply a tourniquet. Do not attempt to suck out the venom.

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