Copperhead

Hey there guys. So last night I got a call from a friend of mine saying essentially that he had found a baby Copperhead right outside of his house. He put a tupperware container over it and called animal services, who, when they came out stated that they couldn't do anything and to just let it go. Now he lives in a neighborhood full of young kids so he, and myself, were not too keen on that idea. So now I have a baby Copperhead sitting in a spare 30 gallon tank beside me. My decision boils down to whether or not I hold on to this little one till sunday when I'm heading out towards the boonies to the gf's parents house to let it go in a more rural area where kids are less likely to be bit, or to keep the wee one. Regardless I want to provide proper husbandry for it till that point. So, at the moment it's in a spare 30 gallon with newspaper as a bedding, a rather large water bowl, and a hide, with a heat lamp on top of the tank. Is this okay for a few days or should I change things around? Also let me say that I have no intention of handling this snake either over the next few days or really ever. Were I to keep it it would be solely for watching with interest. Thanks guys.

Ben

I never really saw the point of keeping a snake you had to be of afraid of biting you and killing you.

Though some venomous snakes are some of the most beautiful!

Besides that fact, I think it'd be best to just release it in the rural area and let it be on its way.

Good for you for thinking to remove it from a potentially dangerous area.

Should be fine til sunday. Be careful!

i agree with trevor. release it in a rual area. i would do it sooner than later. i would be worried about it getting out of a 30 gal.

To be honest I doubt this fella could get out. When I say baby I mean like under ten inches. I have no objects for it to use to get higher really, although I do know some snakes have an interesting penchant for getting nearly to the top using corners. I have latches on all four sides of the lid, plus rather heavy books on all four corners. The lid as well has no give. More my concern is that I live in Raleigh which is a city and I refuse to release, or allow a hot to be in an area where small children play. I think I will probably hold onto it until sunday then let it go in a more suitable location. The annoying part is that I've been wanting to get into hots at some point and one dropped into my lap when I'm not really all that ready. Plus he's f'ing beautiful.

Id release him but thats just my opinion Ive never really been one to go out and catch snakes and bring them home. I was always worried they would have something that my other snakes could get and Im sure they are happier out there then in a cage in my room lol You could try to offer him some food though that way he could at least get a good meal in him before he went back in the woods to hunt. Copperheads are great snakes I love them and think there are just gorgeous. I could stare at my little girl for hours

So while I have this wee one I figure I might as well take some pictures and share them:

http://www.ball-pythons.net/gallery/...3&userid=13692

Trans location of pitvipers is largely unsuccessful and will most likely lead to death.
Your best bet is to just keep it, give it to someone who keeps hots and wants a copperhead.

I love copperheads, I hesitate only a little bit in naming it my favorite snake of all time simply because there are so many awesome snakes out there.

Look at your outside temps. It's winter, cooling down, I'm sure your snake will be more than happy even without heat for a few days. They are a hardy north american species and deal with a wide variety of temps, humidity, and structure to live around.

Give the guy something to hide in (even just crumpled up paper towels) and release him.

If you decide to keep him (believe me, it would cross my mind), keep us updated with pics :) You have no idea how jealous I am.

From those pictures I put on here let me know what you think of it, health wise that is.

He looks pretty good to me. I don't see ticks or scars or any obvious health issues you might concern yourself with before releasing him.

Does he still have his off-color tail that the neos have for caudal luring??

Yeah he does. Honestly he's at most ten inches long as well.

nice find! if there is one baby, then there are more babies and that means adults!

i'd be interested in some habitat shots.

true that some pitvipers like timber rattlesnakes cannot handle relocation, i think it may be a different story w/ copperheads. they seem to be able to tolerate different environmental situations than rattlesnakes.

also know your local and state laws, if its illegal to keep these, all's it takes is some noisy neighbor to turn you in.

Huh I never knew that copperheads utilize their tail tips as a rattle like a rattlesnake. I find this out now by introducing a pinky mouse to the fella. Said pinky has been bit and now left alone. Is this a typical neonate feeding response in copperheads?

he could've been bit in defense, or for food. time will tell.

yes, there is a difference between 'em and rattlesnakes in that rattlers use their tails as a warning to predators, while caudal luring is using the tail to lure prey within striking distance while the rest of the body is (ideally) camoflaged.

Yeah, that was a thought as well. In terms of the habitat it's set off of a main road, slightly wooded with a bit of a 'brook' on the far side from the main road. Theres a line of houses against the brook, then the parking lot, then a small strip of trees, and then the main road.

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

yes, there is a difference between 'em and rattlesnakes in that rattlers use their tails as a warning to predators, while caudal luring is using the tail to lure prey within striking distance while the rest of the body is (ideally) camoflaged.

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Right, what I meant was when the pinky was introduced his tail was going thrum and making a decidedly rattlesnakey noise to the point that I gave him another look.

That is one cranky looking little dude! I would let him go, I think. lol. It would be less stressful on him. He is pretty cute tho!

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Originally Posted by Valhalarising

Right, what I meant was when the pinky was introduced his tail was going thrum and making a decidedly rattlesnakey noise to the point that I gave him another look.

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Mine will mimic a rattlesnake when she wants me to back off. Anytime your moving near her cage she will do this. And anytime im cleaning cages in the general area where her enclosure is she will do it. it sounds just like a rattlesnake lol

a lot of snakes including copperheads "rattle" their tails in defense.

This thread has made me seriously consider getting a copperhead in the near future. I know I won't, but jeez it's such a dream of mine. I've already got everything planned out, from housing and tools to safety protocols.

Well, I would let him go, just because you've never done this before and it would be in the best interest for your safety. Experience with venomous reptiles takes years and years of learning and practice.

But damn, he sure is a cute and handsome little fella! I love copperheads.

Do any of you folks know of anyone in the Raleigh NC area who keeps/breeds hots? I do want to get into hots, more from the standpoint of making naturalistic vivariums and observing the snakes. Obviously I want to learn under someone and this lil fella presents an opportunity into the field. Perhaps I could find someone around here and use this fella as a way to learn.

Not sure about the laws where you are from, but here it is illegal to possess wild caught venemous reptiles...But he is a nice looking copperhead!!!!

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Originally Posted by Valhalarising

Do any of you folks know of anyone in the Raleigh NC area who keeps/breeds hots? I do want to get into hots, more from the standpoint of making naturalistic vivariums and observing the snakes. Obviously I want to learn under someone and this lil fella presents an opportunity into the field. Perhaps I could find someone around here and use this fella as a way to learn.

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I know someone in nc that breeds cobras. Venomous are not illegal in north carolina but there not allowed to legally sell them at the shows or anything. You can come to the columbia sc show though and buy your venomous and take them back with you. Alot of people from nc do that

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Originally Posted by Denial

I know someone in nc that breeds cobras. Venomous are not illegal in north carolina but there not allowed to legally sell them at the shows or anything. You can come to the columbia sc show though and buy your venomous and take them back with you. Alot of people from nc do that

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Cool. I mean in the long run when I'm trained to keep hots by working with someone experienced I'll probably do that. I have a large interest in building up naturalistic vivaria and housing hots in them. Just to observe their behaviour. Plus I have this odd fascination with Arboreal Vipers and Sidewinders.....not sure why heh.

i'll bet your going to the columbia repticon denial, just wondering

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Originally Posted by BOWSER11788

i'll bet your going to the columbia repticon denial, just wondering

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yep ill be there