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where do Agkistrodon Contortrix brumate in wild?
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by crotalus17 on October 16, 2006
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Around VA it is easy to understand where the rattlesnakes den are located, but what about the copperheads? I find them in areas above streams where there is plenty of moisture and shade. Do they just need a hole/borrow that reaches down below the frost line? Seems like a much cooler retreat than the large, well-lit rock crops I find the rattlers dens at. Are copperheads more suitable to handling lower temps than the rattlers?
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RE: where do Agkistrodon Contortrix brumate in wil
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by Cro on October 16, 2006
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John, Copperheads often use the same dens as the Timber Rattlesnakes. Other snakes like Black-Rat Snakes often use the same dens.
When you find Copperheads in wet, cool areas or around streams and lakes, you are finding them in the areas they migrate to for the summer. They often summer 2 or 3 miles from the hibernation den. When the weather cools in the fall, they return to communal dens.
This offers them the advantage of breeding in the fall and spring.
It is mostly the male copperheads and timber rattlesnakes that migrate to summer lowlands.
Studies have shown that the females often stay within a few hundred yards of the winter dens all year long.
That of course depends on there being enough food and water for them to stay in the den areas.
Some copperheads no doubt brumate in individual dens below the frost-line, but for the most part they prefer communal dens.
Hope this helps.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: where do Agkistrodon Contortrix brumate in wil
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by crotalus17 on October 17, 2006
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Interesting. Very helpful John, thanks. I have found many copperheads on one trail above a stream in the shady, cooler area I described. Looks like they are all males? I can't imagine a den site within a mile of this area. I might have to invest in some sexing probes. If I find some females, there should be a den site in relatively close proximity.
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RE: where do Agkistrodon Contortrix brumate in wil
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by agkistrodude on October 17, 2006
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They may not all be males,but if your right and theres no densights nearby, the majority of them probably will be.
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