What is the difference between a copperhead and a corn snake

Copperheads are a little less polite and do have the tendency to strike when they feel threatened. There are a few major differences between the copperhead and the corn snake. Copperheads are generally a lot thicker in the middle, while corn snakes are a lot more slender.

As you move from the tail towards the head, a copperhead becomes a lot thicker in the middle of its body. This is a great way of determining whether you have a corn snake on your hands, versus a copperhead. The only issue with this method is that it can be hard to tell the difference between the two when they are still juveniles. You can learn more about the differences on this site! This article has a lot more information about the differences in the markings of copperheads vs corn snakes.

It takes some experience to be able to tell the difference straight away, so taking a look at some examples will definitely help you out! However, their head is also thin and runs almost exactly in line with their body. This makes them look a whole lot more menacing and dangerous too!

The only issue you have with this identification method is that corn snakes will sometimes try to flatten their head slightly to look more like a dangerous snake. This makes determining the difference a little more challenging. Luckily, you can combine this method with the others and collect more information to determine which one it is.

This is the trickiest one and also the least effective, but it can be used as a deciding clue. A copperhead is often more likely to stand their ground and much more likely to lunge out and bite a human. The most common snake misidentified as a copperhead is the harmless juvenile Eastern Ratsnake formerly called the blackrat snake. The Eastern Ratsnake starts life with a strong pattern of gray or brown blotches on a pale gray background. As the Eastern Ratsnake ages the pattern fades and the snake becomes black, often with just a hint of the juvenile pattern remaining.

Around late August to mid October depending on the temperatures, Eastern Ratsnakes look for a nice warm place to wait out the upcoming winter. Frequently these snake will choose a house attic, crawlspace or basement. Luckily, copperheads don't usually seek winter refuge in human occupied dwellings. Like the Eastern Ratsnake, black racers are also born with a blotched pattern. However, unlike the Eastern Ratsnake that may retain the juvenile pattern for several years, the pattern of the Northern Black Racer usually fades to a uniformed black within the first two years of life.

Juvenile Northern Black Racers usually do not seek winter refuge in human occupied dwellings. Northern Black Racers are usually one of the first snakes to become active when spring arrives. Juvenile and subadult Northern Watersnakes have a pattern that can vary greatly in color, from dark grayish to a reddish brown. The color of some individuals watersnakes can come close to that of some copperheads, however the pattern on the Northern Watersnake is always narrow on the sides and wide near the backbone.

This is completely opposite of the pattern found on the copperhead wide on the sides and narrow near the back bone. Some adult Northern Watersnakes retain a strong, distinct juvenile pattern while others become a uniformed brown. As the name implies, the Northern Watersnake is usually found in close proximity to water. The pattern of the Eastern Milksnake is fairly consistent in Virginia, however the intensity of the colors can vary quite a bit. Usually the blotches across the back are outlined in black.

The venomous snakes found in South Carolina are all pit vipers with one exception — the coral snake. The pit vipers include copperhead, cottonmouth, pigmy rattlesnake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, and timber rattlesnake. Pit vipers get their name from having a heat-sensing pit located between their eyes and their nostrils, which helps these snakes locate their warm-blooded prey. Every year, I receive a plethora of phone calls and emails asking me 1 to identify whether a snake is a copperhead and 2 what should I do with it.

Many of these phone calls and emails result in the suspect snake being a similar looking, non-venomous snake with characteristics that are hard to distinguish from the copperhead. The two most common non-venomous snake species that are mistaken for the copperhead are the corn snake and the northern water snake. The copperhead gets its name from the coppery-tan color found mainly on its head and throughout parts of its body down to the tail.

Parts of the pattern of the copperhead resemble an hourglass and is one of the most diagnostic traits of all. To put it simply, the top of the hourglass touches the left side of the body, the bottom of the hourglass touches the right side of the body.

Copperheads are not aggressive, nor do they go out of their way to bite humans or other unsuspecting bystanders. It all comes down to their camouflage. When curled up, their camouflage resembles a pile of fallen leaves; this helps them remain hidden from potential predators — including you. When walking through potential copperhead habitat, the snake will likely spot you first and may try to move away. As you get closer, it will curl up into its camouflage pile, blending in with fallen leaf litter on the ground.

The last and final step is a strike. Even though you may have never noticed any of the prior warnings, all the snake knows is that he gave you all warnings to stay away and that you still persisted. Eye pupil shape is a very easy way of identifying not only copperheads but also most venomous snakes in South Carolina, except for the coral snake. Please be advised that this does require great eyesight and an excellent viewpoint. The venomous coral snake and all other non-venomous South Carolina snakes have round pupils.

Juvenile copperheads are known for having a bright yellow tail that they use to lure their prey.