# Broad-banded Copperhead (*Agkistrodon laticinctus*) The Broad-banded Copperhead is a snake with beautiful patterns on its skin. It has a wide, banded appearance that helps it blend into the forest floor, making it a special part of nature. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Broad-banded Copperhead](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Agkistrodon_laticinctus_121242617.jpg&width=800) Photo: Meghan Cassidy, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Agkistrodon_laticinctus_121242617.jpg) ## Appearance The Broad-banded Copperhead is a medium-sized venomous snake, featuring striking hourglass-shaped bands that are broad and dark reddish-brown against a lighter copper or tan background. Its head is distinctly copper-colored, making it visually distinct from many other snakes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Viperidae - **Genus:** Agkistrodon ## Interesting facts - Baby copperheads have a bright yellow tail tip, which they wiggle to lure prey! - Copperheads get their name from the reddish-brown color of their head. - These snakes are born live, not from eggs laid in a nest. - They are often found near streams and rocky areas, or under logs. ## Special abilities - **Thermal Vision:** Broad-banded Copperhead can 'see' heat using special pit organs, which helps them hunt warm-blooded prey in the dark. - **Perfect Camouflage:** Broad-banded Copperhead has a unique banded pattern that helps them blend seamlessly into leaf litter and forest floors. - **Warning Wiggle:** Broad-banded Copperhead can rapidly vibrate its tail when threatened, warning predators to stay away. - **Venomous Bite:** Broad-banded Copperhead can inject mild venom, which helps them overpower small prey quickly. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 60-90 cm - **Weight:** 0.1-0.3 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-10 ## Diet & Feeding These snakes are carnivores, mostly eating small rodents and frogs. - **Primary Foods:** mice, voles, frogs, lizards, small birds, insects - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [White-footed Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-footed-mouse) (*Peromyscus leucopus*) — A common prey item in their woodland habitats. - **Hunts:** [Southern Leopard Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/southern-leopard-frog) (*Lithobates sphenocephalus*) — Frequently preys on frogs near water sources. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Large birds of prey can hunt copperheads. - **Eaten by:** Black Racer (*Coluber constrictor*) — Larger, non-venomous snakes may prey on them. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate If you see a snake, it's best to stay calm and walk away. Snakes like to be left alone. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Broad-banded Copperhead? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Broad-banded Copperhead? 60-90 cm ### How much does Broad-banded Copperhead weigh? 0.1-0.3 kg ### How long does Broad-banded Copperhead live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Broad-banded Copperhead move? 5 km/h ### What does Broad-banded Copperhead eat? These snakes are carnivores, mostly eating small rodents and frogs. ### Where is Broad-banded Copperhead usually found? Forests ### How does Broad-banded Copperhead hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chihuahuan-desert-nature-center-and-botanical-gardens) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chihuahuan-desert-research-institute) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [Fort Lancaster](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-lancaster) — Texas, US · Historic Site - [Gruene](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gruene) — Texas, US · Historic District [View all places to see Broad-banded Copperhead](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/broad-banded-copperhead) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Broad-banded Copperhead: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/broad-banded-copperhead)