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Australian Snakes

Australian Copperhead

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The Copperhead snake is another highly venomous snake. If provoked, it raises its forebody from the ground and flattens its neck, angry and hissing ready to strike. Its extremely potent venom is mainly neurotoxic, attacking the nerves of the body, but it also contains blood destroying properties.

It is the only venomous snake found above the snow line, and may be active in weather generally considered too cold for snakes. It hunts during the day, except on hot days, when it is active at night. Copperheads are attracted to swamps, rivers and creeks, where they hunt for frogs, reptiles and small mammals. They also eat other snakes, including their own young.

The copperhead is solidly built, with a small head. Coloration is variable, from dark brown to light copper., with a light abdomen.

Colour and size varies with the locality and Copperheads may be tan, brown or black. They are also more tolerant to the cold and have been seen sunbaking in mid-winter when other snakes are hibernating. One of their worst enemies are other Copperheads because they are prone to eat each other.

It was only discovered relatively late that their are in fact three types of copperhead snakes.

Related weblinks -
• Learn about the different types of Copperheads -
http://www.fact-index.com/a/au/australian_copperhead.html