Common Name: 
Copperhead

Scientific Name: 
Agkistrodon contortrix

Identification: 14-45 in. Beige to light brown, with broad, darker brown, hour-glass shaped crossbands; belly lighter than back, with dark brown blotches; scales keeled. The head is triangular shaped and has no markings; pupils are vertically ellipitic, loreal pits present between each eye and nostril. Juvenile copperheads have a bright yellow tail tip.

Habits: Copperheads frequent forested and wooded areas. Though venomous, these snakes are not aggressive and usually lie motionless, waiting for rodents. They are more active at night than day.

Distribution: Throughout Louisiana in wooded areas.