But your best chance to see one might be on a rural road in the evening because of the heat the pavement retains. You might spot them in deserts, grassy plains, forested areas, coastal prairies, rocky hillsides, and river bottoms. This famous VENOMOUS snake has a wide range of habitats in Texas! A rattle on the tail alternates between black and white-colored bands.Elliptical pupils and pits between eyes and nostrils. Broad, spade-shaped head with a black mask over the eyes.Look for the darker diamond-shaped blotches down its back, outlined by white scales. Coloration ranges from brown, gray, brick red, pinkish, and chalky white.Adults typically grow to about 4 feet in length.If bitten, medical attention should be sought. Luckily, bites to humans are uncommon in Texas, and the venom is not ordinarily deadly to healthy adults but can cause localized swelling, necrosis, and severe pain. If they continue to be disturbed, they may deliver false strikes or bite.īroad-banded Copperheads have a hemotoxic venom that destroys blood cells and tissue. They may also vibrate their tail in the leaf litter and lift it up as a warning. This adaptation sometimes leads to unaware humans and pets stepping on them. When threatened, these venomous snakes normally lie motionless, relying on camouflage for defense. Their range overlaps with the Eastern Copperhead in Texas. They prefer areas with heavy leaf litter or pine needles and can sometimes be spotted near rotten logs, piles of woody debris, ledges, and rocky bluffs. The Broad-banded Copperhead is found in woodland habitats that include oak, cedar, and juniper trees. Broad head is distinct from the neck, heat-sensing pits between the eyes and nostrils, and elliptical pupils.Adults range from 20 to 36 inches in length.After the initial bite, they will wait for the venom to take effect before consuming their prey whole. These snakes primarily feed on small rodents, frogs, birds, and large insects such as cicadas. Dry bites contain no venom, and warning bites have a relatively small amount of venom. In addition, copperheads also frequently employ false strikes, dry bites, and warning bites. The venom they produce has relatively low potency. This adaptation helps these venomous snakes find and judge the size of their prey by being able to sense infrared! Bites from these snakes are rarely fatal in Texas. In addition, copperheads are considered “pit vipers,” which means they have a heat-sensing organ located between their eyes. This species is an ambush hunter, meaning that it selects a suitable site and waits to surprise its prey. During the middle of summer, Eastern Copperheads are often nocturnal. You’re more likely to see them active during the day in the spring and fall when the weather is cooler. Look for these VENOMOUS snakes in east Texas in deciduous forests and mixed woodlands, often near rocky outcroppings.
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