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RE: Copperhead behavior
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by earthguy on November 11, 2005
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Dang, now I can't read. I thought you were calling Dan a schmuck, not yourself. I still stand by my original statement, though, that it could have been a copperhead. Yes it could have been a banded watersnake, but that is no reason to TOTALLY dismiss the copperhead idea.
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RE: Copperhead behavior
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by Saltwater on November 11, 2005
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First let me thank all those that replied, you were interesting and educating. Second let me say I have no expertise or special interest in Reptiles, venomous or otherwise. I leave them alone, (unless they are venomous and in my yard).
It was the behaviour that interested me, and curiosity in regards the lung capacity.
We do have Cottonmouths in this part of the State but not as prevalent as in the low country. I do know a Copperhead when I see one, but I will readily admit if young cottonmouths look like copperheads I probably would not know the difference.
I live within the City limits of Easley SC, which is in the foothills region of the Blue Ridge Chain. Copperheads are common throughout the area as are certain species of Rattlesnakes although the Rattlers are seldom seen in the more populated areas. And as previously stated Cottonmouths reportedly inhabit the area but I have never saw one.
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RE: Copperhead behavior
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by Saltwater on November 11, 2005
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Just checked out the website (picture) that Larry D Fishel suggested. I most certainly admit he could be right. Wish I could take another look <gg>
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RE: Copperhead behavior
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by ALA_herp31 on November 11, 2005
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I am by no means trying to say anyone is wrong here, but if anyone here has took a look at the Book “Snakes of the Agkistrodon Complex” you would know that a Few of the (A. c. contortrix) they found were in Highly Aquatic Environments. As we all know (contortrix) is known to share Environment with (A. p. piscivorous) and (A. p. conanti). I think the possibility of seeing a (A. c. contortrix) in and near water is not fare fetched. On another Note: I am presently reading “ Snakes of the Agkistrodon Complex” and it is one of the Best Books I have ever spent time with. I have come to the Half Way Point in the Book, and have already learnt a lot from it................Be Safe Ya’ll, Happy Herping : Wally
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RE: Copperhead behavior
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by Cro on November 11, 2005
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Wally: You are right about ``Snakes of the Agkistrodon Complex`` being an excellent book.
And your comment, about copperheads often being found in, or near, aquatic enviornments is also very true.
Although the snake under water in a stream was most likely a water snake, it is certanly possible that a copperhead living in an aquatic habitat could have learned to hunt underwater also.
Or, perhaps it is a ``soaking`` behavior, that is used prior to shedding, to help loosen the skin.
If a bunch of herpers can figgure out that soaking is good for a snake prior to shedding, perhaps it is not too far fetched to think that snakes might figgure this out also.
Perhaps someone who observes this in the future will have a camera along to document the behavior.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: Copperhead behavior
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by LarryDFishel on November 11, 2005
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Wally, my comment had more to do with the fact that agkistrodon tend to "float like cork" and so I though it was unlikely that one could sit motionles on the bottom for long. I certainly could be wrong as I've never actually sen one in the water (I've seen a total of ONE picture of one swimming across the surface, floating high and looking like he was in a hurry to get out) whereas it sounds like typical watersnake behavior.
Dan, how long a snake can stay submerged, has less to do with large lung capacity and more to do with how little oxygen snakes require, especially when they are cool as would be the case in the water. I had a burmese python (about 8 feet at the time) that would sometimes curl up in his pool and stay submerged for hours. He might have occasionally poked his nose out, but it could not have been more often than every 45 minutes or so. They just don't waste the energy and oxygen that we do in keepin our temperature up...
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RE: Copperhead behavior
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by timberrattlesnake89 on November 11, 2005
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Well to me it sounds like a water snake. I personally have never seen a copperhead underwater. http://georgiaherp.com/id13.html scroll down a bit and you will see both a midland water snake and banded water snake. You can click on ever photo that has a (*) by it which includes the midland watersnake.
Phillip
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RE: Copperhead behavior
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by ALA_herp31 on November 11, 2005
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I see your point Larry, I meant nothing by what I said, but as Good Herpers we all know that Snakes can surprise you by things they do. I tend to agree with John on this, I think Wild Snakes can learn on their own that soaking their Bodies can aid Greatly in Shedding, not to say for sure that this Was a (contortrix) of cores. Now, this very well could have been a Water Snake, who knows? Would be a true Charm to find out it was a Copperhead huuu? ...................Be Safe Ya’ll, Happy Herping : Wally
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RE: Copperhead behavior
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by bush_viper17 on November 11, 2005
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I have definetly seen one sitting under water without a doubt. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was laying completely still under water and we came up on it and then caught it. It was completely submerged.
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