If there was a season for Copperhead snakes, we are in it right now in Southwest Missouri.

An increased number of sightings of copperhead snakes has been reported to the Missouri Conservation. No worries.. its normal for this time of year.

It’s mating season for the venomous, slithering, snakes.

Most female copperhead’s have given birth by late summer and they are ready to take on another brood.

🐍 Basic Facts About Copperhead Snakes

Scientific Name: Agkistrodon contortrix

Family: Pit viper (same family as rattlesnakes and cottonmouths)

Venomous: Yes, but bites are rarely fatal to humans

Lifespan: Around 18 years in the wild

Size: 2 to 3 feet long on average

🌍 Habitat and Behavior

Habitat: Forests, rocky hillsides, wetlands, and sometimes suburban areas

Behavior: Often found in leaf litter or under logs/rocks; excellent at camouflage

🧬 Identification Feature Description

Color Light brown to tan with darker, hourglass-shaped bands

Pattern Bands are wider on the sides and narrower across the back

Head Distinctly triangular with a coppery-red color

Eyes Vertical (cat-like) pupils

Tail Tip (juveniles) Bright yellow/green, used to lure prey

🧠 BehaviorTemperament: Generally non-aggressive; freeze or remain motionless when threatened

Activity: Primarily nocturnal in hot weather; more active during the day in spring/fall

Hunting Style: Ambush predators—wait for small prey to come close

Diet: Rodents, lizards, frogs, insects, and small birds

🩸 Bite Info and First Aid

Venom Effects: Pain, swelling, tissue damage—serious but rarely life-threatening

Bite Signs: Fang marks, immediate pain, redness/swelling

What to Do If Bitten:

Stay calm and call emergency services

Immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower than the heart

Do not apply a tourniquet, ice, or try to suck out the venom

🚫 Avoiding Copperhead Bites

Watch where you step or place your hands in wooded or rocky areas

Wear boots and long pants when hiking

Don’t walk barefoot at night in areas they’re known to live

Keep your yard clear of brush piles, wood, and tall grass

Copperheads bite to kill their prey and are not considered to be an aggressive species of snake. They typically will not bite people unless threatened. One of the best ways to keep snakes off your property is to clear large rocks and woodpiles, as copperhead snakes like to nest in those areas. You can also limit food sources for snakes on your property, such as mice.