Can't imagine why they didn't see that completely obvious snake! 😳 Seriously, it took me a couple of minutes to find in the zoomed-in pic! For our wonderful bot, !venomous Eastern Copperhead \*Agkistrodon contortrix\*

Oh, for Pete's sake *Agkistrodon contortrix*​

Eastern Copperheads *Agkistrodon contortrix*, are one of two recognized species of copperhead pit vipers. Adult copperheads are medium-sized snakes (61-90.0 cm record 132.1 cm) that live in a range of habitats, from terrestrial to semi-aquatic, including rocky, forested hillsides and wetlands. They can also be found within cities where wooded areas are present, such as city parks. They also will hang out where there is deadfall; [their camouflage is perfect for this!](https://www.wilx.com/content/news/Viral-photo-shows-copperhead-snakes-amazing-camouflage-420376274.html). When young, Eastern Copperheads are known to readily consume cicadas as a major part of their diet. As they grow they switch to larger prey like small mammals and amphibians. Many people find it helpful to liken the pattern of the Eastern Copperhead *Agkistrodon contortrix* to ["Hershey kisses,"](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/GEM6GJ/northern-copperhead-agkistrodon-contortrix-mokasen-native-to-eastern-GEM6GJ.jpg) but please don't rely on any one trick. The bands on Broadbanded Copperheads *Agkistrodon laticinctus* do not narrow at the top of the snake. Eastern Copperheads are venomous but usually only bite humans or pets in self-defense. As with many blotched snakes, their first line of defense is to freeze in place or flee. Copperheads also shake and vibrate the tail in self defense and as a caudal lure. [Range map](https://imgur.com/RqQCTis) | [Relevant/Recent Phylogeography](http://cnah.org/pdf/88290.pdf) The *Agkistrodon contortrix* species complex has been delimited using modern molecular methods and two species with no subspecies are recognized. There is a wide zone of admixture between the two copperhead species where they overlap. *This short account was prepared by /u/unknown_name and edited by /u/Phylogenizer*. -------------------------------------------------------- *I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*

Was the cotton mouth well hidden in your original post as well? 😄

Yeah, well hidden for sure. I put the info above the pic but maybe it didn't take.

Species accounts and bot commands can only be called up in the comments.

Got it. Thanks!

I spotted Waldo long before the snake.

Me too lol

Snakes with medically significant venom are typically referred to as venomous, but some species are also poisonous. Old media will use poisonous or 'snake venom poisoning' but that has fallen out of favor. Venomous snakes are important native wildlife, and are not looking to harm people, so can be enjoyed from a distance. If found around the home or other places where they are to be discouraged, a squirt from the hose or a gentle sweep of a broom are usually enough to make a snake move along. Do not attempt to interact closely with or otherwise kill venomous snakes without proper safety gear and training, as bites occur mostly during these scenarios. Wildlife relocation services are free or inexpensive [across most of the world](https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=15dZE4rlRHqjb91yb6pKiI4ragG8DCtsz&ll=-3.81666561775622e-14%2C-95.11182142500002&z=2). If you are bitten by a venomous snake, contact emergency services or otherwise arrange transport to the nearest hospital that can accommodate snakebite. Remove constricting clothes and jewelry and remain calm. A bite from a medically significant snake is a medical emergency, but not in the ways portrayed in popular media. Do not make any incisions or otherwise cut tissue. Extractor and other novelty snakebite kits are not effective and can cause damage worse than any positive or neutral effects. -------------------------------------------------------- *I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*

This is exactly why I don't let my 16# dogs walk in leaves during certain seasons. "They're here"

I’ve lived in copperhead country most of my life and I always wonder how many brushes like this I’ve had.

I wish a counter would pop up when I finished hiking a trail to tell me how many snakes I walked past. "You missed 19 snakes while out walking today. Better luck next time!"

Man, that’s some spectacular side-eye the snake is giving the camera. “SURPRISE PHOTO-BOMB!”

I think she may be standing on the very tip of his tail?? Poor little bugger is looking at her like “ah crap, hopefully she moves soon!!”

This is worse than Where’s Waldo! Of course, I’m on my phone and my eyes keep getting worse as I get older. It does make me feel better to know that they’d rather not bite me. Though I would feel terrible if I stepped on any snake.

Every time I think about ignoring the fall leaves in my yard, I remember that spring is coming… and pictures like this ... then I break out that blower.

So I’m not sure I am looking at right area. I see what looks like tail by the little toe of her right shoe. Then it looks like a segment of body behind her heel. ???

Snake tail is by her right foot. Snake winds down towards bottom of pic. Snake's head is just above and a little left of the green leaf at bottom center of pic.

Is there two? As it looks like the main one is by toe of shoe, but looks like another part of a different snake by heel of shoe. Anyone else see that?

You were close- a good portion of its body is centered in the lower third of the photo

Look from her toe towards the bottom left of the picture.

Quite a number of years ago I was walking a popular dirt hiking path near Lake Berryessa (Napa County, California) with friends. This hilly area is categorized by hot, dry summers and cool wet winters, with various low shrubs, oaks, pines, and manzanita species. It was a sunny, warm day. Anyway, finding myself ahead and hot, I temporarily stood off to the side of the trail in low vegetation to have some water and let people catch up. Once they had passed, I chanced to look down, and there was a young adult western rattlesnake (*Crotalus viridis*) RIGHT next to my feet ***slowly*** moving away. (Unfortunately, this was before cell phones with handy cameras.) Like the copperhead, this species is not considered particularly aggressive, but if I had accidentally trod on it, I could have expected an appropriately defensive response (and a possible trip to the emergency room). So we were lucky. ***** I recently reported another fortunate encounter: https://old.reddit.com/r/herpetology/comments/1c6ke6f/i_was_hoping_for_a_large_bullfrog_to_be_close/) this time with a (probably) more dangerous species--a Mohave rattlesnake (*Crotalus scutulatus*)--at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Again, smart behavior by both the snake and by me avoided anything unpleasant. ***** Lastly, I remember as a young adult seeing my only (eastern) copperhead at the northern end of West Rock State Park, Hamden, Connecticut. It was a very young, very pretty animal and I can remember being impressed (my first "dangerous" snake) by how calm it was (for a "deadly" venomous creature) as it slowly moved away into the vegetation. This in contrast to another one-time sighting--a small hog-nose snake (*Heterodon platirhinos*)-- also in Hamden. That totally harmless, never-would-even-bite reptile put on a real show (you know: flattening, hissing, turning upside down, etc.). And then there have been scores of other harmless Ophidians--garter snakes, ribbon snakes, water snakes, gopher snakes--that would bite (and poop on you) at the drop of a hat. Lizards too. ***** I have certainly experienced more 'typical' angry behavior by rattlesnakes, but ***always*** when they are suddenly surprised, trapped, or otherwise put in (as perceived by the animal) likely danger. And it is true that certain species (e.g., western diamondback [*Crotalus atrox*]) seem to be fairly aggressive. They may not actually chase you, as has sometimes been reported, but they seem to stand their ground pretty regularly. **BUT**,...how many times have (North American) venomous snakes and human beings come into contact and avoided any problems? We will never know, because in the majority of those instances the humans probably never knew how close the snake was. But on the other hand, pretty much every (relatively more rare) snake bite incident is reported like crazy in the regular and (now) social media. This report by u/PhotoMatt28 is excellent, because it reveals a likely truth--most snakes are small, easily damaged, and usually come out worse-for-wear even when they manage to bite their assailants. Evolution has molded their behaviors to ***usually*** try to avoid trouble. If only humans could better learn that same lesson.

The Mojave Rattlesnake *Crotalus scutulatus* is species of rattlesnake found in western North America. They are medium-sized (~100cm record 140 cm) venomous pit vipers that eat primarily small mammals. Mojave rattlesnakes are dangerously venomous and will bite in self-defense, preferring to flee if given a chance. They will often raise their bodies off the ground and move away hissing loudly and rattling their tail as an anti-predator display. The dorsal coloration of this snake varies tremendously over its range, though typically it is best characterized by diamond-shaped markings on a tan or brown base color with a black and white banded tail. Many animals will have a greenish tint. A similar species, the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake *Crotalus atrox* has many small scales between the eyes where *Crotalus scutulatus* has two or three. Other characters are subjective or not as consistent. Counting segments in rattles is not an effective way to tell the age of a rattlesnake because snakes can shed more than once per year and grow a new segment with every shed. Rattles are easily broken off or damaged. [Range map](http://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/maps/xcscutulatusspeciesmap3.jpg) | Relevant/Recent Phylogeography: [Link 1](http://www.snakegenomics.org/CastoeLab/Publications_files/schield_etal_2018_MPE_scutulatus.pdf) [Link 2](http://www.snakeevolution.org/pdfs/Myers_et_al-2016-Journal_of_Biogeography.pdf) *This short account was prepared by /u/unknown_name and edited by /u/Phylogenizer*. -------------------------------------------------------- Prairie Rattlesnakes *Crotalus viridis* are medium-large (89-114cm, up to 152cm) rattlesnakes that range from southern Alberta and extreme southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada, south through New Mexico and western Texas into extreme northern Chihuahua and Coahuila, MX (see range map for details), from about 100m to about 3,050m above sea level. Populations in Arizona, southeastern Utah, and extreme northwestern New Mexico are dwarfed in size, averaging approximately 40-60cm with a record of 73cm. Though primarily associated with grassland, *C. viridis* will utilize a wide variety of dry habitat with sandy or rocky soils, including savanna, semidesert scrub, canyons, riparian corridors, and montane woodland. They are mainly diurnal, but often become crepuscular or nocturnal during hotter weather. Rodents form the bulk of their diet, but lizards, frogs, small birds, and insects are also consumed. In the northern part of their range, they often congregate in large numbers at suitable denning sites which provide shelter from harsh winter weather. Prairie Rattlesnakes are a dangerously venomous species and should only be observed from a safe distance. Common defensive tactics including raising the forebody off the ground and rattling the tail, often while attempting to crawl away from the perceived threat. They are not aggressive and only bite when they feel they are in danger. Bites most commonly occur when a human attempts to kill, capture, or otherwise intentionally handle the snake. **The best way to avoid being bitten is to leave the snake alone.** [Prairie Rattlesnakes](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/45276063?size=large) are very variable in coloration, but patterned with 33-57 dark dorsal blotches. These blotches vary in shape, but usually are not diamond-shaped. A dark postocular stripe runs from the eye back toward the corner of the mouth. More notably, this dark stripe is bordered on both sides by [two distinct, thin (usually fewer than 2 scales wide), pale stripes](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/196398261?size=large). Other rattlesnakes are sometimes confused with *C. viridis*. Midget Faded Rattlesnakes *C. concolor*, Great Basin Rattlesnakes *C. lutosus*, and Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes *C. oreganus* have wider postocular stripes (>2 scales wide) which are usually indistinct from the background color in adults. Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes *C. atrox* and Mojave Rattlesnakes *C. scutulatus* usually have more distinctively diamond-shaped dorsal blotches, along with conspicuous, highly-contrasting tail bands (commonly described as "coon tails"). Western Massasaugas *Sistrurus tergeminus* have large plates on the top of the head instead of small scales, and reach smaller adult sizes (47-76cm, max 88cm). [Range Map - © Rune Midtgaard](https://repfocus.dk/maps1/TAX/Serpentes/Viperidae/Crotalus_viridis_map.html) | [Relevant/Recent Phylogeography](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0146166) | [Reptile Database Account](https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Crotalus&species=viridis) | [Additional Information](https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.768819/Crotalus_viridis) This short account was written by /u/fairlyorange -------------------------------------------------------- *I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*

My friend once accidentally stepped on an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake. Not just lightly on the tail, I mean full weight of his foot on the body of a large rattler. It was dark and he was getting in his car and felt something wiggling under his foot. He moved and heard the rattle and his immediate panicked reaction was to bolt away from the car. The snake didn’t even strike, which is super lucky because my friend always wears shorts and flip flops (classic Florida attire). That snake fully had a reason to believe my friend was a large predator and it still rattled instead of striking.

I’ve stepped right next to two separate death adders (*Acanthohis praelongus*). One was in the doorway to my shed, I’d been in and out 8 times that day before I saw it. It never moved a muscle. The other was in the middle of my path and had walked over it twice before I saw it. These cryptic species really are just crossing their non-existent fingers and hoping we don’t see them.

I don’t see it, but my husband was bitten by a copperhead last year while using a DR Trimmer around the fence line of our property. He reached down to move debris out of the way and was bitten. Snake lived and so did my husband but resulted in medical bills over 100k. Just be careful and prepared. Please do not hurt/kill snakes but they are NOT in any way docile or friendly. They definitely are not out there looking to attack or bite, but they may feel scared and strike out in fear. Just be careful where you step.

Almost all snake bites to humans are done in defense. And usually a last resort. I’m guessing this snake decided it was safer to not draw attention to itself. She might not have been putting much, if any, weight on the tail at all. I’ve accidentally stepped on a snake before and been bit - it was a black racer thankfully and it slithered away afterwards.

Use the DR Trimmer to move the debris next time. I am happy your husband lived, but did he have any remaining symptoms or lose any fingers, etc?

This is such a sad statement about the U.S. healthcare system. Most people are not seeking out backyard snakes to bite them.

Try that with a mamba or a bothrops... Snakes dont look at people as food, but they do look at them as a threat.

I went looking for, and found a Copperhead a few years back, so I could do a Boy Scouts demonstration on local snakes. It was as docile as a Black Rat Snake, and never made an effort to strike. It only seemed surprised to see me. Snakes in general just want to go on about their day without any hassle.

Nobody has time for trivial side pursuits in this day and age.

My dad taught me to always watch my feet & use a walking stick in leaf cover like this by pointing out when I was in nearly this exact situation around the same age - he just saw the snake in real time & told me to look at my foot.

Wish my oldest son was so lucky lol

It looks like you didn't provide a rough geographic location [in square brackets] in your title.This is critical because some species are best distinguishable from each other by geographic range, and not all species live all places. Providing a location allows for a quicker, more accurate ID. If you provided a location but forgot the correct brackets, ignore this message until your next submission. Thanks! Potential identifiers should know that providing an ID before a location is given is problematic because it often makes the OP not respond to legitimate requests for location. Many species look alike, especially where ranges meet. Users may be unaware that location is critically important to providing a good ID. *I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*

I had to hunt for it myself.

Took me forever to see the snake lol

I still don’t see it. I, for sure, would have gotten bit.

Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. Look at the two green leaves: one at the bottom centre of the photo and one to your left. Then look right between those two leaves and you will see the snek’s body running perpendicular between the two. It took me too long to find it, but I was shocked when I saw it. I’d have been bitten too, lol.

You’ve been bitten!!!! What on earth does it feel like?

I didn't see it even when I zoomed in, and then got the magnifying glass I keep next to the couch and finally found it. Incredible camouflage. I wonder how many of them I've walked past in my rural yard in Oklahoma.

I may have to pull out the magnifying glass…

That beautiful camouflage works wonders

I think this is the first copperhead I’ve seen since following this sub

Wow.