Posted in West Virginia
May 16, 2020
Watch Your Step, More Copperheads Are Emerging From Their Dens Around West Virginia
Spring is a beautiful time of year in West Virginia, and we love to get out and hike before the summer heat hits. But so do a few other creatures, including venomous snakes.

The other is the timber rattlesnake.

They are also distinguishable by the hourglass pattern on their top and sides.

Copperheads feed on small rodents and some insects, including cicada larvae.

Copperheads are cold-blooded reptiles that need to take advantage of the warmth during the day in seasons when the nights are still cool.

However, rather than slithering away like some snakes, they lie still and hope to remain undiscovered. This means you are more likely to step on a copperhead than some other types of snakes. Even then, they are hesitant to strike and only do so when touched or disturbed.

Most initial bites from a copperhead are "dry bites" meaning no venom is injected, or "warning bites," meaning only a small amount is. Even if a person or pet receives a full dose of venom, hospitals in our area are typically well equipped to offer treatment. If you've been bitten, seek immediate medical attention. Take a picture of the snake if possible and remove any restrictive clothing (or collars from pets) immediately.

Their venom has even been used to successfully combat cancer in lab studies! Still, watch your step when you're out in the woods, and wear sturdy hiking boots on our mountain trails.
If you do see a copperhead, give it a wide berth and continue on your way. They are an important part of the ecosystem, and you actually put yourself at greater risk of harm by coming close enough to eliminate one. To minimize the risk of encountering one at all, stay on wide, well-marked trails.
To learn to identify copperheads and other snakes you may encounter, try 10 Species Of Snakes Commonly Spotted In West Virginia And What To Do If You See Them.
Address: West Virginia, USA
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