Here Is Why Copperheads Like Hanging Out On Porches In North Carolina
I know this is hard to believe but I have never seen a copperhead snake in the wild. Sure I have seen them in zoos but never out and about. And I live out in the middle of the woods. Weird huh? Copperhead snakes are the most common venomous snake in our area. Sometimes they get a little too close for comfort. Here is why copperheads like hanging out on porches in North Carolina.
The Charlotte Observer did the leg work for us on this topic. They report reasons discovered by a biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission. Falyn Owens offers this explanation for why copperheads like hanging out on porches in North Carolina. They like being near the nearby vegetation that are often near porches. They love cicadas and they also enjoy the shelter that under the porches provide. Often there are rodents under porches and they put those on their menu as well.
So what do you do if you see one? Your natural reaction might be to harm the critter but the experts say do not try it. Simply let the copperhead pass and give it lots of room to do so. More people are injured by approaching a copperhead than the other way around.
Owens had this to add about where copperheads like to hang out. Here is her quote in the Charlotte Observer,“In areas where you see a lot of freshly-molted cicada casings, it’s usually a good idea to be on the alert for a copperhead that might be taking advantage of the temporary feast.” For more information on why copperheads like hanging out on porches in North Carolina, get all the details right here.
I have never seen a copperhead in the wild but I did spot this rattlesnake in a South Carolina state park. To see the video and get details just go right here.
North Carolina has Six Venomous Snakes On Our Ultimate Snake List
Cottonmouth: Venomous Snake in North Carolina
Every year I see probably about ten of these lovely creatures. They make me jump out of my skin. This venomous snake is also called Water Moccasin. This is the most common venomous snake out of the six. It is found literally everywhere throughout North Carolina. The bites for these bad boys are he bites are pretty painful, but deaths from copperhead bites are extremely rare. You can see more on this snake here.
The Longest Snake in the World
This is a worthwhile one if you like snakes. The average length of a reticulated python is 20 feet. That’s the length of two basketball hoops! These snakes are found in southeast Asia. The habitat preferences of these animals appear to depend on their location, but they enjoy rainforests, woodlands, and grasslands. You can see more on this snake here.
Eastern Coral Snake: Venomous Snake in North Carolina
Though I love the colors, I wouldn’t get close to them! The Eastern Coral Snake is often referred to as the candy stick snake. It is normally the most misidentified snake found in North Carolina. In the southern Coastal Plain from North Carolina to Louisiana, including Florida, the eastern coral snake is scattered. Throughout their range, they can be found grazing in areas of scrub oak sandhills and pine Flatwoods that flood seasonally. You can’t legally kill the Eastern Coral Snake due to their endangered status. You can see more on this snake here.
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake: Venomous Snake in North Carolina
Just seeing photos of this snake gives me nightmares. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is the largest and perhaps the most dangerous species of rattlesnake in the world. The backs of these heavy-bodied pitvipers are covered with black diamond patterns outlined in dark diamonds. In North Carolina, diamondbacks are usually found in sandy pine Flatwoods in the southeastern Coastal Plain. You can’t legally kill the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake due to their endangered status. You can see more on this snake here.
The Heaviest Snake in the World
Wow! The heaviest snake in the world is the green anaconda. They can reach up to 220 pounds and 16 feet in length. A native of South America, the green anaconda inhabits swamps, marshes, and streams. These snakes are nonvenomous. You can see more on this snake here.
Copperhead: Venomous Snake in North Carolina
Do you often see these? I sure do. Most North Carolinians know at least the name of the copperhead. Copperheads are typically between two and three feet long, with a fairly heavy body. North Carolina is home to the most common and widespread venomous snake, the copperhead. You can see more on this snake here.
Pigmy Rattlesnake: Venomous Snake in North Carolina
They’re kind of cute, aren’t they? Pigmy Rattlesnakes are also venomous snakes in North Carolina. In the United States, pigmy rattlesnakes are the smallest species of rattlesnake. Snakes that live in this region usually have dull gray bodies with a row of dark spots running down the center of their backs. In North Carolina, pigmy rattlers are found in pine Flatwoods and scrub oak habitats in the southeastern Coastal Plain and the Sandhills. They have been found at Crowder’s Mountain State Park in Gaston County. You can see more on this snake here.
Timber Rattlesnake: Venomous Snake in North Carolina
Rattlesnakes of this species are large and heavy-bodied, with dark bands or chevrons protruding from their bodies. They are most commonly found in mountains and coastal plains. One of the most impressive things about this snake is the fact that it can strike up to 1/3 to 1/2 of its body length. I am not a fan of this snake. You can see more on this snake here.
