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Eastern Copperhead | Daily Animal Facts

Animal profile

Eastern Copperhead

Agkistrodon contortrix

ReptiliaDeciduous forest, rocky hillsides, woodland edge and suburban margins of the eastern United StatesLeast Concern

Field profile

The eastern copperhead is a medium-sized pit viper marked with dark hourglass crossbands on a coppery ground. It is common in wooded country close to people and freezes rather than flees when approached. It accounts for more snakebites than any other North American species.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2026-05-09

Eastern Copperhead

Copperheads bite most often and kill almost never

The copperhead is responsible for more venomous snakebites than any other snake in the United States, yet deaths are exceptionally rare. Its venom is comparatively mild and it frequently delivers little or none.

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