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Copperheads
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by star1515 on August 11, 2004
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I found a small foot long Copperhead curled up on my front porch. Upon further reading it looks like it was the common Southern Broadband Copperhead. I had been on "snake watch" for about 3 weeks, after a friend saw a snake near my front door. I hadn't been able to identify it before this evening when it got stepped on accidently by a roommate coming into the house. Lucky for her, and unlucky for the snake she stepped on it's head. Looks like the mandible is broken and the snake was quite unhappy. I scooped it up in a large bucket and relocated it to a less populated area of the woods about 1 mile from the house. I have located the entrances to the "den" which are several holes under a bush beside the front door. Okay, the questions are as follows- Did I do the correct thing in relocating the snake? Is it true that Copperheads (esp. the young) are in multiple numbers? Do I need to worry about finding anymore? Can I do anything to "suggest" to the possible remanding Copperheads to relocate elsewhere? Can broken or damaged jaws heal on young snakes to provide them with a normal continuing life? If this is the breeding season for snakes in this area (from what I have read) is it possible that I have a nest under the bushes? I know snakes are good to have around and I like them, but Copperheads on the front porch are a bit dangerous (not to mention my roommates are quite upset)! I had to quickly interceed to ensure that this snake lived another day. Thank you so much for your forthcoming answers and help.
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RE: Copperheads
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by Scootertrash on August 12, 2004
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On the broken jaw, I can only say that I have caught several snakes that had crooked jaws most likely from some damage they had suffered so I suppose it is possible that this snake in question could heal depending on how bad the damage is. On the question about large numbers, I have found many coppers denned up together and I don't really know if they do this all year. I don't think that they do den up all year but I could be wrong. As far as relocating the entire den, I would NOT do this because it does interfere with there breeding. I would only do this in extreme cases; cases where they were getting in your house. This is a hard one because from what you have said they really haven't posed much of a problem but they are near your living quarters. I know this isn't much but I hope it helps
Clayton
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RE: Copperheads
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by star1515 on August 12, 2004
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Thanks for the help Scooter! I wasn't to eager to try and relocate multiple snakes. :) It seems that if I can keep them away from my roommates and "out of trouble" they may continue to live and hunt around my house in peace. Just a GREAT reminder to not go walking around outside without my shoes! By the way, does anyone know if most snakes around Houston, Texas nocternal or diernal? Just wondering.
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RE: Copperheads
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by Dadee on August 29, 2004
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Star,
It is totally NOT uncommon to see copperheads during daylight. Often they come out to "get charged" up from a cooling in the over night hours. Also, as the day wains, you will see them in the late afternoon, to early evening, in the shaded areas. Often times, their food source, whether its lizards or toads or mice, will dictate when they are active. Not just the food source will dictate however, time of the season and other factors also play a part. Recently on a trip to Galveston beach, upon walking up to the beach house, a rather large WDB was poised off to the side of the walk path in some scrub. Rather than have everyone freak out, a simple "relocation" was all that was warranted for this large girl. No one was hurt, nor was the snake. I think your approach is one of a naturalist, in that, what's wrong with having snakes around...they do play their part. As for them being in such close proximity to your labode...well, the prospect of "not seeing anymore" is probably not out of the picture. How attached to the bush(s) are you? I'm sure that there are more shady areas around that the snakes would more than be happy to locate...hopefully not your porch. Where in Houston are you? I was just in League City where porches are concrete slabs, so there was no real risk of something being under the porch. I'm sure there will be those who would rather just leave things as they are and tell you to just watch your step. I for one wouldn't like to come home from a party, stumbling out of the passenger side of the car and wind up tagged, then to only wind up in the er. If the bush(s) isn't something you're all that attached to, simply removing it, would make the snakes think about "moving". Just a thought.
Any way, enjoy the heat and the "heat" that is Houston.
Take care and watch your step.
Matt
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