Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

Classification

Conservation Status

  • Copperheads are one of three species of venomous snakes found in the Cumberland River Basin. The other two are the Timber Rattlesnake and the Cottonmouth.
  • Copperheads are nocturnal in the summer but active during the day in spring and fall. 
  • Researchers believe that copperhead venom may be effective in stopping the spread of cancerous tumors. 
  • Copperheads are capable of “virgin births.” This extremely rare nonsexual method of reproduction is known as parthenogenesis.