by Sammy Pickering
The eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix), a pit viper endemic to eastern North America, is one of my favorite species to encounter when out in the field. They have a strikingly vibrant two-toned coppery-brown coloration and a patterning down the length of their bodies resembling an hour-glass — a hauntingly effective camouflage. Their eyes, with their vertical slit-like pupils aiding in low light hunting, mesmerize and remind you that we live in a truly special world, a world whose wild things deserve space and respect. With cooler autumnal temperatures now afoot, this magnificent creature’s activity has waned to a state of reptilian dormancy referred to as brumation, a state that is similar to hibernation but leaves the snake with more mobility to find resources if needed. Bereft of their magnetic beauty until next spring, I reflect excitedly on over a half dozen sightings of these amazing creatures I had this past year.
Copperheads are a medium-sized snake, usually between 2 to 3 feet long. They’re equipped with a hemotoxic venom which destroys red blood cells, causes tissue damage, and contains enzymes that break down proteins, aiding in digestion. Although extreme caution should always be taken in any encounter with a venomous snake, because their manner, like their venom, is relatively mild they usually only bite when provoked or stepped on. Three of my encounters in early fall were with copperheads basking on my driveway at dusk to warm their bodies as temperatures began to cool. Basking is a common way for snakes, being cold-blooded, to thermoregulate. After squatting on your haunches to admire from a safe distance, a gentle touch of their tail with a long stick sends them peacefully slithering on without protest.
Several other encounters I had were in spring and summer when out removing invasive plant species, Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) and Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium). Instead of basking on warm pavement as they do in cooler months, during late spring and summer, copperheads seek shade from the daytime Georgia heat. I have found they take advantage of shade provided by thick patches of stiltgrass. However, removing the invasive stiltgrass will allow the potential for native plant species to reestablish, providing not only shade and habitat but contributing to the food web, potentially attracting small animals seeking sustenance and forage from these native plants. These same animals will support copperhead and other snake populations. Understanding the role copperheads and other snakes play in the ecosystem as mid-level predators is critical for respecting, rather than fearing them. They help uphold the ecological balance by controlling small rodent populations such as rats and mice, which, if unchecked, can spread disease and damage crops.
Another sighting this fall was a first: a juvenile with a bright, green-tipped tail. Only juveniles possess this attribute which helps them lure in small prey. They flick their brightly tipped tail to mimic an insect while the rest of their body waits motionless, hidden by their camouflage. Like other pit vipers, copperheads are ovoviviparous, meaning their eggs hatch inside the female, who gives live birth to her young. This strategy allows for a better survival rate of offspring than laying eggs, as the latter makes them much more vulnerable to environmental changes and predation. Females give birth to between 4 and 10 independent copperhead snakelets in late summer, all wielding beautifully colored green, yellow, and sometimes gray-tipped tails.
With still so many curious subtleties to admire outdoors this time of year, fall and winter are also a time for reflection as a period of dormancy begins for many species. I personally reflect on the inspiring things I’ve seen in the natural world over the past spring and summer, and what I might see when the majority of life cyclically reemerges again in the spring. I also reflect on the copperhead as a symbol of hope, strength, and beauty, a hope that persists despite being misunderstood. Their strength demands respect, and their beauty should remind us all to care for the wild things and the spaces they live in. We should all strive to steward a healthy environment for us, our families, and all the species that inspire and contribute to the ecological whole that make up our one-of-kind planet. Which species have inspired you this past year?