Huge Copperhead

[Horse Newbie 7,069]

So I seen this huge copperhead whose head had been run over…

I put it at about 39-40 inches long, 1.5 inches think.

This is a huge copperhead… largest I’ve ever seen.

Most matured adults I’ve seen are no more than 17-20 inches long and 1 inch thick.

WOW !

Edited September 5, 2023 by Horse Newbie

[Pullstart 62,882]

Woah!

 

 

 

[Ed Kennell 38,176]

That is a beauty.     I'd love to have a copperhead to go with my rattletail.     

[rmaynard 15,460]

Where there's a dead mama, there are probably offspring. 

[pacer 3,169]

Few yrs back I had several Blue Bird boxes up - couple were on trees at the recommended 4-5 ft. Was walking across yard and noticed something ... odd? through the entrance hole (this box had 4 pretty little eggs we were watching) was suspicious and using a stick I lifted the lid and took a peek------ WHOA!!! the box was full of a Copper head! 

 

Dang, how am I gonna get that thing out of there??? Decided to get a can of brake cleaner and give him a taste, lifted the lid, again with a stick, and boyoboy he didnt like that! and came outa that box in a hurry! I had a hoe handy that I had thought to bring along and was able to kill him, Whew!

 

Drug him over to drive and took a measure ..... a whopping 42 inches Done a little reading and seems that one over 40" is in the records as BIG!!

[Skwerl58 704]

That is a big one! In July I had one at my archery target, wood pile area that I saw while mowing. I hunted it for a couple of weeks and saw him again two times but couldn't get him. I finally got it and it was well over 30 inches and fat. I am a hunter and respect wildlife but venomous snakes give me the willie's, uhhh.

[Horse Newbie 7,069]

Yeah, I know copperheads are a critical part of the ecosystem and control pest and rodent populations. If I see one way out in the mountains or country I would leave it alone, but if it’s around where I live, it’s gotta die !

[Ed Kennell 38,176]

15 minutes ago, Horse Newbie said:

Yeah, I know copperheads are a critical part of the ecosystem and control pest and rodent populations. If I see one way out in the mountains or country I would leave it alone, but if it’s around where I live, it’s gotta die !

 

Yeah, the rattlers are pretty calm and will give you plenty of warning if you get too close.

Those copperheads are just mean and sneaky.

[Horse Newbie 7,069]

I have heard that copperheads are not quick to bite, unless you touch them. And an adult may not even inject venom because they know they can’t eat you.

Even with no venom it would hurt like the dickens, plus you may get some venom anyways…

Edited September 6, 2023 by Horse Newbie

[oliver2-44 9,752]

2 hours ago, Ed Kennell said:

 

Yeah, the rattlers are pretty calm and will give you plenty of warning if you get too close.

Those copperheads are just mean and sneaky.

@Ed Kennell things are a changing. Wild hogs will kill and eat rattlers. So rattlers are learning not to rattle. 
We have plenty of Copperheads along the creek at the farm. Many years ago while dove hunting a friend got bit in the back by a copperhead wrapped around a tree branch…sneaky. 

[Horse Newbie 7,069]

7 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

wrapped around a tree branch

Someone at work was bitten by a copperhead a few years back… was walking past a fallen tree in the woods going down to a sewer outfall.

Copperhead was laying on the tree…

got the guy on the elbow when he walked by…

[Ed Kennell 38,176]

 

 

9 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

Wild hogs will kill and eat rattlers

That's too bad.    Those hogs are a major problem and with no predators to help keep them under control.  One of the few animals not protected in Pa.

 

9 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

So rattlers are learning not to rattle. 

Like the long beard turkey are learning not to gobble.  Survival of the smartest.