Like most members of the pit viper family, the Copperhead is a heavy-bodied snake. These snakes range between 24 and 36 in. The crossbands may be copper, pinkish, reddish brown, or orange. The ranges of the two subspecies Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix and Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen overlap but generally A. c. mokasen is found in the mountainous part of the state while A. c. contortrix is found in the Piedmont and Coastal regions. These snakes feed on mice, small birds, small snakes, insects, and amphibians.
Copperheads usually hunt by ambushing unsuspecting prey that pass within striking distance.
They are usually diurnal but during the summer they hunt at night in order to reduce their exposure to high temperatures. The tips of young Copperheads' tails are yellow and they flick them back and forth in a manner that attracts prey. One to fourteen young are born between late summer and early fall. David Scott Note the yellow tails on these young Copperheads.