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Copperhead behavior
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by Saltwater on November 10, 2005
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While walking my dog I cross a small shallow stream, little current, sandy gravel bottom inhabited by tadpoles and small minnows. Yesterday I was about to let my Yorkie wade in it. Fortunately I had him on a short lead, as he was about to enter the water I saw a small (about 12" to 14") Copperhead laying on the bottom (about 6 to 8 inches deep). He certainly appeared to be alive. I observed him for about a minute during which time he did not move. His position was a moderate S with the head drawn back in a strike position. I then threw a small stone in the water beside him and he immediately darted away.
Was he fishing, is this unusual behavior, and for how long could he remain under without breathing? I have never saw one do this before.
I live in southwest SC, have a lot of Copperheads in the area. The day was sunny and about 80 degrees, the water emanates from a spring about a half mile away and is probably about ground temp.
Thanks for any info .................. Dan Easley, SC.
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RE: Copperhead behavior
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by LarryDFishel on November 10, 2005
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"I live in southwest SC, have a lot of Copperheads in the area."
On what do you base this statement? I don't mean to sound like a schuck here, But you did NOT see a copperhead sitting on the bottom.
My guess would be one of these (northern water snake):
http://www.snakesandfrogs.com/scra/snakes/images/tallman1a.jpg
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RE: Copperhead behavior
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by Snake18 on November 11, 2005
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Don`t cottonmouths live in that area ? Maybe it was a cottonmouth. Young specimens surely havemore vivid collors and look like copperheads...
Best regards, Alex S.
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RE: Copperhead behavior
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by bush_viper17 on November 11, 2005
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I live in an area with plenty of copperheads and no cottonmouths. One day while out looking for snapping turtles, I was walking along the edge of a lake and saw a copperhead just laying motionless underwater! I picked it up with a stick and it was extremely defensive. I believe the original poster because I have seen the very same behaviour in the wild with a copperhead.
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RE: Copperhead behavior
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by bush_viper17 on November 11, 2005
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oh yeah, this was a full grown copperhead(approx. 2 feet) and I am 110% positive that it was a copperhead.
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RE: Copperhead behavior
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by earthguy on November 11, 2005
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Copperheads and cottonmouths are very closely related. It is not uncommon for a cottonmouth to hunt underwater (their species name "piscivorous" says it all). I see no reason that a copperhead couldn't demonstrate the same behavior. Although I have never heard of a copperhead eating fish in the wild, they are well documented to eat frogs (especially Rana).I also see no reason to call Dan a schmuck because he made an unusual observation. Some of those ornithologists that claimed to have seen an ivorybilled woodpecker were also called names. Guess what. They were right. Dan, where are you specifically? I am working on my master's degree (with the Agkistrodon complex) and if you see lots of copperheads I would like to visit. I would also be interested in observing that behavior.
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RE: Copperhead behavior
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by bush_viper17 on November 11, 2005
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Hi earthguy. I also have TONS of copperheads in my area. Last year a friend and I were looking and we found a good spot. It was the middle of summer and within about 50 seconds we found 5 different copperheads. 2 under one rock,1 under another and 2 more under the next rock. But sometimes I go for a while without seeing one.
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RE: Copperhead behavior
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by earthguy on November 11, 2005
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Thanks for the tip Jeremy, but I am concentrating on my state (SC). I will be near Georgia in several of my sites (mostly in the SREL), but I'm sticking to this side of the Savannah.
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