It may vibrate its tail when alarmed. Statewide, but shows some indication of being replaced by the gray rat snakea subspeciesin the southeastern corner. This is our most common venomous snake. Color varies from grayishbrown to pinkishtan, with hourglassshaped crossbands of dark gray, brown or reddishbrown. The tail may be yellow or greenishyellow, especially in young specimens, and the belly usually is a dusky mixture of gray, tan and black.
Copperheads make their homes on rocky hillsides and along the edges of forests.
They also spend time among trees and in brush along prairie streams. Copperheads are often found near abandoned farm buildings. Copperheads will vibrate their tail when alarmed. There is no record of a humandeath caused by a copperhead bite in this state, but medical treatment for such bites is necessary. Copperheads eat mice, lizards, frogs and sometimes small snakes.