Northern Copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen Wyoming County, PA	Northern Copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen Wyoming County, PA

Identification- VENOMOUS 22-53 in.  Copperheads are the snake few people actually see, but many people think they see.  They are a brown-copper color, with crossbands across the back that are constricted in the middle.  This may give an hourglass appearance.  The head is large, triangular, and unmarked.  When constricted the pupils are elliptical.  There is a facial pit between the eye and the nostril.  The belly is the same color as the head and relatively unmarked or marked with small smudges and splotches.  Scales weakly keeled.
    Similar Species- All non-venomous snakes in New York have a circular pupil, non-triangular head, and lack facial pits.  Still Milk Snakes and Water Snakes are often mistaken for Copperheads.  Milk Snakes have a saddle pattern, a marked head and smooth scales.  Water Snakes are non-venomous and have a straight head (although it may appear somewhat triangular when dramatically flattened).  Water Snakes also differ in their banded pattern (not hourglass) and profusely marked belly.

Range- Southeast New York and the lower 2/3 of Pennsylvania.  Copperheads are absent from Long Island.

Habitat- Likes open wooded hillsides with rocky slopes.  Often found in association with water.

Reproduction- Mates in spring soon after emergence.  Live bearing.  Most commonly 4-8 young are born in August or September, but larger clutches are known.  The young are patterned similar to the parents, but are usually lighter in color and they may have a yellow tail.

General Characteristics-
    More snakes are mistaken for this snake than any other.  Northern Copperheads are not all that common in New York, and are not found throughout most of the state.  Their venom is seldom dangerous, and antivenin is widely available.  Male Copperheads and females use the same den site, but gravid females typically choose rocky areas that have a minimum of forest cover.  Timber Rattlesnakes and Copperheads can be found together, but the Copperhead's preference for more open habitats negates this somewhat.