Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen

Common names: northern copperhead,^[2] copperhead, highland moccasin,^[3] more.

Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen is a venomous pitviper subspecies^[4] found in the eastern United States.

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Description

Grows to an average length of 61-91 cm, with a maximum of 134.6 cm.^[5]

The dorsal scales are weakly keeled. The anal plate is single. The subcaudals are single, at least anteriorly.^[5]

The color pattern consists of an hourglass pattern that runs the length of the body. From above, a series of dark chestnut crossbands look narrow in the center and wider on the sides. Between the crossbands, small dark spots are often present. There are dark rounded spots at the sides of the belly. The head is a copper-red color. Juvenile specimens are lighter in color, have a yellow tail tip, and a narrow dark line that runs through the eye that divides the darker head from the lighter colored labial scales.^[5]

Common names

Northern copperhead,^[2] copperhead, highland moccasin, beech-leaf snake, chunk head, copper (adder), copper-bell, copper belly, copperhead moccasin, copperhead viper, copper snake, copper viper, cottonmouth, deaf adder, deaf snake, dumb rattlesnake, harlequin snake, hazel head, hognose snake, moccasin, North American copperhead snake, northern copperhead, pilot, poplar leaf, rattlesnake pilot, rattlesnake's mate, red adder, red eye, red snake, red viper, thunder snake, upland moccasin, white oak snake,^[3] adder.^[5]

Geographic range

Found in the United States, in southern Illinois, extreme northeastern Mississippi, northern Alabama, northern Georgia northeast to Massachusetts, the Appalachian Mountain region and associates plateaus.^[2] No type locality was given, although was the area where Palisot de Beauvois made his observations.^[1]

Behavior

These snakes are generally quiet, almost lethargic, preferring to lie motionless when encountered or making to make a slow retreat. When sufficiently agitated, however, they can strike vigorously and may vibrate their tails rapidly.^[5]

See also

• List of crotaline species and subspecies
• Crotalinae by common name
• Crotalinae by taxonomic synonyms
• Snakebite

References