Common name: Southern Copperhead



Attachment 11. VENOMOUS SPECIS OF SNAKES OF LOUISANNA

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1. Southern Copperhead. Adult length: 24-36 inches;  record 52 in. The southern copperhead is a very beautiful, small- to medium-sized snake.  They are common throughout most of the state and are responsible for inflicting numerous bites.  Copperheads do not have the most toxic venom of snakes in the United States regardless of old wives tales. Needless to say, this is a very dangerous attitude to have. Copperheads have a reputation for having a beautiful appearance and a nasty disposition.  Copperheads CAN and DO inflict serious bites.  A bite from a copperhead might not be life-threatening, but it can ruin your day.  This copperhead in the photo came from the Monroe area in northeast Louisiana.

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2. Texas Coral Snake. The Texas coral snake is a small snake that can reach lengths of almost 4 feet, but they average much smaller.  Most of the ones I have seen are around 2-3 feet long.  They differ from the eastern coral snake (Micrurus fulvius) in the fact that the black flecks on the red is more scattered.  These very attractive snakes appear inoffensive and slow, but can move with surprising speed. They can bite more areas than just fingertips as some people believe.  The Texas coral snake is at home in the forests but can be found in grasslands and swampy bottomlands as well.  Most of the coral snakes that I have received were found while crossing roads during the day. They are frequently found in the Kisatchie area under large rocks. Coral snakes have the most toxic venom of the venomous snakes found in Louisiana.  They quickly immobilize their prey, which consists of mainly snakes and lizards.

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3. Western Cottonmouth. The western cottonmouth a small- to medium-sized pit viper with an attitude!  This 2 - 3 foot (rarely 4ft.) snake is found just about everywhere in the state, even in habitats that do not seem favorable.  While looking for Louisiana pine snakes in a sandy, hilly area far removed from a source of water, Mike was suprised by one after lifting a board.  Actually, it's hard NOT to find one while looking for other species.  The above 2-3 ft. individual was found crossing a gravel road which circles Lake Martin in south Louisiana.  They love to bask on logs or in muddy areas and can be quite inconspicuous in certain terrain.  Cottonmouths, along with copperheads, account for the majority of venomous snake bites in Louisiana.

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4. Canebrake Rattlesnake. Adult length: 36-60 inches;  record 74½ in. The canebrake rattlesnake is a medium to large rattlesnake that ranges throughout the state but is common only in certain areas.  It averages 3-5 feet but 6 foot specimens are not uncommon.  The ground color varies from light to dark grey and the vertebral stripe varies in intensity from light to dark orange or rust brown.  Although canebrake rattlesnakes have a mild disposition and many will not rattle when caught, they have a very toxic venom and can inflict a serious bite.  It is not uncommon to get to within a few feet of these snakes without even seeing them.  I have also approached to within a few feet of these snakes without them rattling.   This further adds to their ability to lay out in the open, yet remain hidden.

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5. The pygmy rattlesnake is an interesting "small" rattlesnake.  It is seldom seen, but by no means rare.  Their small size, almost always less than 2 feet but occasionally a few inches longer, renders them inconspicuous to the unobservant individual.  This photo is of a rather typical specimen.  The bluish color that may show up on your screen, though, is not the natural color, but rather the result of less than optimum scanning!  This individual is barely 15 inches long and is doing great on a diet of fuzzy mice. The western pygmy rattlesnake occurs throughout the state for the most part.   Although specimens can be found in swampy areas in the southeastern part of the state, they are generally absent from the same habitat in the southwestern part of the state.  They are found most often in central and southeastern Louisiana.

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