Posted in Arkansas Seasonal April 08, 2021 by Lisa Sammons

Beware Of Extra Copperheads Out Snacking On Cicadas In Arkansas This Spring

While Arkansas is not due for a massive swarm of cyclical cicadas in 2021, the state does serve as home for several species that emerge yearly. Cicadas are harmless, though their noises can certainly annoy nature lovers trying to enjoy the outdoors in peace, but where there are cicadas, there are often copperheads!

The cyclical cicadas that emerge every 13 or 17 years are definitely the more well-known ones, but Arkansas actually has several species that appear annually, such as the Southern Grass Cicada.

Cicadas are infamous for their loud sounds, which are made by the unbuckling and buckling of part of their abdominal exoskeleton. The males tend to be the noisy ones, but in some species, the females "sing" as well.

Cicadas come in over 3000 species that have varied life cycles, but most of the annually emerging species spend anywhere from one to nine years as underground larvae before emerging.

Southern copperheads are beautiful, but like all pit vipers, are venomous. Pit vipers have a special heat-sensing pit that helps them locate prey, such as cicadas.

Copperheads are spread throughout Arkansas, and due to their coloration, are often extremely difficult to see. Adults are ambush predators that lie in wait for prey (like cicadas!) to come by. Young copperheads are more likely to actively hunt for prey, and actually have a more highly concentrated venom than adults of their species.

Copperheads have been found eating cicadas out of trees! They also feed on small rodents, lizards, frogs, and birds.

It is important to remember that like all snakes, copperheads do not generally seek out humans to attack. They will bite if disturbed, so if you are walking in an area where copperheads are known to live, always keep an eye out when walking! If you see a venomous snake, avoid it and it will generally avoid you.

Have you seen copperheads in Arkansas? Tell us where in the comments!