copper heads

[volshooter]

Hey contender, had one try to bite me today. My question is about finding dead ones with their heads gone, not by humans. What kinda of critter would do that?

Today did not go well for the snake. While removing the skin I found 7 little ones in her.

 

[contender]

Well, I hope you didn't get bit & all!
As far as what kind of critter will kill one & remove the head,, usually a hawk, owl or eagle. Birds of prey can do that.
Sounds like that female copperhead had a really bad day!

 

[gramps]

Be careful! Copperheads give live births and little ones can bite also! :shock: unless dead of course.
gramps

 

[AJGUNNER]

Were the little ones big enough to skin??? Perfect for making small hat bands with the cute little button. :wink:

 

[volshooter]

They are about 7 inches long, got them in a jug. No did not get bit. She was coiled up next to the barn.

 

[coldmaker0]

have any of you seen a copperhead with a green tail. we have a subspecies here with a green tipped tail

 

[gramps]

Were the little ones big enough to skin??? Perfect for making small hat bands with the cute little button. :wink:

Copperheads don't have buttons. Rattlesnakes do.
gramps

 

[Mike J]

Well, I hope you didn't get bit & all!
As far as what kind of critter will kill one & remove the head,, usually a hawk, owl or eagle. Birds of prey can do that.
Sounds like that female copperhead had a really bad day!

I am surprised they wouldn't come back for the rest of it.

 

[Merle1948]

Were the little ones big enough to skin??? Perfect for making small hat bands with the cute little button. :wink:

Buttons???

 

[volshooter]

All the ones round here are text book colors. Seen a few in middle TN that had more red in them. Only 2 rattle snakes here are the yellow and black timber.

 

[AJGUNNER]

Were the little ones big enough to skin??? Perfect for making small hat bands with the cute little button. :wink:

Buttons???

Guess I learned something else on the Ruger forum. Having never spent time tromping in the woods where you would find a copperhead, I guess I always thought they were just another rattlesnake. I never knew they were smooth tailed until I just looked them up. Having skinned a couple of rattlesnakes with near full term babies inside, I can tell you that they do in fact have a button on them when they are live born.

 

[KWYJIBO]

And I've learned something too. I always thought garter snakes were the only snakes that give live birth--that all other species lay eggs, which hatch outside the mother's body.

I'm reading here about copperheads and even rattlesnakes with ovoviviparous reproduction. (You can look that term up. I just learned it while reading a Wikipedia entry on snakes.)

I don't care for snakes, in fact I'm a little frightened by them. But that fear is accompanied with fascination, and I love learning about all kinds of topics, especially anything related to animals and nature.

 

[WendyZXZ]

I am another one who likes to watch and is fascinated by snakes. Although the venomous ones I prefer nowhere near the house.

 

[Merle1948]

And I've learned something too. I always thought garter snakes were the only snakes that give live birth--that all other species lay eggs, which hatch outside the mother's body.

I'm reading here about copperheads and even rattlesnakes with ovoviviparous reproduction. (You can look that term up. I just learned it while reading a Wikipedia entry on snakes.)

I don't care for snakes, in fact I'm a little frightened by them. But that fear is accompanied with fascination, and I love learning about all kinds of topics, especially anything related to animals and nature.

Somewhat off topic, but some sharks also give live birth. IIRC, in some species the more advanced young eat their less developed brothers & sisters. Survival of the fittest taken to extremes..... :shock: