The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that baby Eastern copperheads will start becoming more active as the weather becomes cooler and milder.
This brown, camouflaged venomous pit viper is found throughout much of Maryland and can be seen wriggling around forests and swamps this time of year.
Copperheads tend to be most active during spring and fall due to the warmer temperatures. They are rarely seen during the winter and summer because they undergo brumation, a reptile’s version of hibernation defined by reduced activity.
“They’re like tourists in a way,” said Jonathan McKnight, associate director of the Natural Heritage Program at the Maryland DNR. “Copperheads can’t regulate their own body temperature.”
Ranging from 10 inches to 3 feet long, copperheads primarily prey on mice and are most active at night.
Copperheads are a native species that have lived in Maryland longer than humans. They are most common in forests, fields, swamps and dry sandy ridges but can also be drawn to human-made environments, usually in the lower Eastern and Western shores of Maryland.
Deaths are extremely rare, but bites among dogs and humans occur every year. There are an average of 100 snakebites per year from venomous snakes in Maryland, mostly caused by copperheads, according to the department.
Here’s what to do if you encounter an Eastern copperhead.
Avoiding Encounters with Copperheads
Although copperhead bites are uncommon, awareness is key to avoiding them. Pay attention to your surroundings when outdoors, particularly when hiking, camping or moving firewood, rocks, boats or canoes. Their camouflage allows them to blend easily with rock piles and leaf litter, making them difficult to spot. Most human encounters occur when a copperhead is surprised, handled or provoked, McKnight noted.
Snakes in Maryland are protected as nongame wildlife, so killing them is against the law. The safest approach is to keep your distance and let them carry out their role in the ecosystem without interference, the DNR said on Twitter.
Handling a Copperhead Bite
If bitten, seek medical attention immediately. Copperheads sometimes deliver “dry bites” without venom, but even then, infection is a risk, McKnight said.
Other than mosquitoes or wasps, any bite from a wild reptile or mammal should be treated by a medical professional. If bitten, people should not suck out the poison because sometimes you may not get any venom, and interfering with the wound can make it worse, McKnight advised.
Living with Copperheads
Because copperheads feed on mice, their presence often signals a rodent issue.
“Very often people think they have a snake problem, but actually they’ve got a mouse problem, and the snakes are keeping it in check,” McKnight said.
In areas where copperheads live, people often coexist with them without incident. The snakes are not aggressive and typically freeze in place, hoping to avoid encounters when humans approach. You won’t see a copperhead inside your home, but if you see one near your home, don’t bother it. Take note and thank it for getting rid of your mouse problem.
There’s no need to panic. Eastern copperheads rarely bite unless provoked. As McKnight advises: “The trick is, try not to handle wild animals.”
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