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I found a baby under the splashblock that I have by the water pipe coming out of the A/C. Those pipes have been drenching the areas by the A/C's so I guess it was attractive to the snake. This is the first time I saw one but my son says he had seen many in our yard back in the spring.
Copperheads are around, but not a big threat. They are actually one of the least aggressive snakes out there, and almost anyone who gets bit either stepped on it, or put their hand on it (like grabbing wood from a stack without looking, or something like that).
As for the babies, they pose more of a threat than the adults, it is said they have less control over their venom glands, and therefore administer more poison. Don't know if it's true or not, but I just try to respect them all.
I've been in NC most of the last 33+ years, I've seen a lot of them, and I've never had a scary experience. (I live on a farm, so every time the fields get plowed we get every critter known to man coming out of the dirt!)
As others said, don't be scared, but it is a good idea to educate your child, and to be aware and knowledgeable.
I notice that almost any snake, even one swimming in a pond (!) will be called a copperhead by people here in Cary. After my first month or so here, I saw several amphibious snakes around Loch Lomond that I wasn't familiar with. One day I came upon one of those snakes sunning itself on the path around the reservoir. After I walked the full loop around the lake, a man passed me and warned me to watch out for the "copperhead" sunning itself ahead. A minute later, I had my second look at it. I grew up in Texas and camped and hiked often in Arkansas and Oklahoma. I have seen dozens of actual copperheads, water moccasins, rattlesnakes, etc. in the wild, so when I saw my first Northern Water Snake, I took a couple of minutes to observe it in bright sunlight and note the size, shape (including small head) and color details. I knew it was not any species I knew. I found photos of it online to confirm the species. http://www.dpughphoto.com/images/nor...le%2040407.JPG
We see them all the time. Just shoot them in the head. They still move for awhile afterwards even with their head shot off but it's just the muscles. Baby copperheads will hurt you worse then a full size because they give full venom with a bite.
Just like black widows and brown recluses, just stay away from them if you can. Kill them if possible.
I notice that almost any snake, even one swimming in a pond (!) will be called a copperhead by people here in Cary. After my first month or so here, I saw several amphibious snakes around Loch Lomond that I wasn't familiar with. One day I came upon one of those snakes sunning itself on the path around the reservoir. After I walked the full loop around the lake, a man passed me and warned me to watch out for the "copperhead" sunning itself ahead. A minute later, I had my second look at it. I grew up in Texas and camped and hiked often in Arkansas and Oklahoma. I have seen dozens of actual copperheads, water moccasins, rattlesnakes, etc. in the wild, so when I saw my first Northern Water Snake, I took a couple of minutes to observe it in bright sunlight and note the size, shape (including small head) and color details. I knew it was not any species I knew. I found photos of it online to confirm the species. http://www.dpughphoto.com/images/nor...le%2040407.JPG
I hate to think how many harmless, beneficial snakes are destroyed thinking they're Copperheads.
I hate to think how many harmless, beneficial snakes are destroyed thinking they're Copperheads.
Unfortunately, most people won't take the 5 minutes necessary to learn the difference between the ones that can hurt you and the ones that won't. Personally I don't kill copperheads unless they are in an area frequented often by people and pets.
Unfortunately, most people won't take the 5 minutes necessary to learn the difference between the ones that can hurt you and the ones that won't. Personally I don't kill copperheads unless they are in an area frequented often by people and pets.
Copper colored head...no marking and slightly heart shaped. Hour glass shaped patterns across the length of the body. So easy to indentify even at a distance. I don't kill them either unless absolutely necessary. I have relocated some in the past, but it's been a while. I usually took them out to a Cary neighborhood. Can't think of the name right off
Snakes are 'all over the place' in most of the lower 48. People treat snake sightings (all wildlife sightings, really) like it's some big event, when really you're just getting a glimpse of a shy neighbor. If your yard is near good habitat for them, they'll be there. But they will (mostly) keep to themselves. I would just teach children some basic wildlife safety, and secure my pets. Maybe remove any brush piles?
I've seen copperheads at Umstead, in yards, on the greenway, etc. Once they see you coming, they'll get out of your way pretty quickly. If you spend a significant amount of time outside, you will eventually see a snake. And when you do, remember that there are dozens more where the one you saw came from, and the are all just minding their own business.
I don't kill any creature unless it's someplace where it poses a legitimate threat to the living creatures I care for. When I see snakes around my property I stand back a safe distance and stomp on the ground a bit which usually does the trick. I get made fun of all the time by my family for relocating spiders and letting them web-up around the outside of the house. They play a role and one that usually benefits me somehow.
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