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Dawn S asked in PetsReptiles · 1 decade ago

baby copperhead Snake?

Do copperheads give live birth. My mini sch found a baby copperhead this mormning. Was just wondering if their might be a mama around... It was copper with a flat head and a lime green tail. And it had the same patteren as an adult copperhead.

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    They give live birth to an average of 4 to 6 babies. I've owned and studied many venomous snakes, and I've bred copperheads, so I'd like to clear something up. It is simply not true that baby venomous snakes are more dangerous than adults. They carry so little venom, that even if they injected all of it into you, it still couldn't match the dosage given by an adult. So the bigger the copperhead, the worse the bite can potentially be. I was out Sunday in the woods with a scientist friend of mine from Texas A&M University photographing wild copperheads for his upcoming book, so I think I'm qualified enough to know that adults are worse, despite what self-proclaimed "experts" here on Yahoo want to tell you.

    And neither copperheads nor rattlesnakes protect their young. The only venomous snake which does this are king cobras which guard their eggs. Pythons also do this. And don't worry about copperheads. As long as everyone leaves them alone, they'll do the same. The ones we were photographing the other day were very reluctant to strike. They would much rather just get away.

  • kuhle
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    Baby Copperhead

  • Anonymous
    6 years ago

    This Site Might Help You.

    RE:

    baby copperhead Snake?

    Do copperheads give live birth. My mini sch found a baby copperhead this mormning. Was just wondering if their might be a mama around... It was copper with a flat head and a lime green tail. And it had the same patteren as an adult copperhead.

    Source(s): baby copperhead snake: https://shortly.im/L3dZE
  • 1 decade ago

    Copperheads are viparious, meaning they give live birth. While the young may hang around the mom for a while, there is no family structure, once it is born it is on its own. Like many youngsters, they scatter, some hunker down and hide for a while near where they were born. The green tail tip is indicative of it being a young snake.

    I wouldn't worry too much about finding the mother around, at least from a defensive position, but where there's one, there's often two.

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  • 1 decade ago

    Yes. Copperheads do give live birth. Is mama around? most likely not. Female snakes do not have a habit of being maternal and being there to "care" for the young. The neonates are born knowing what they need too to survive. Some rattlesnakes will stay with their young until the first shed (about a week) and then everyone is on their own.

    Just remember that although she may not be there taking care of her young, it does not mean you are not in her "territory". Copperheads are venomous and should be treated with respect but also know that their venom yield is lower than almost any other venomous snake in the US. It is highly unlikely that a copperhead bite would be fatal to a healthy human.

    Source(s): Current reptiles Owned: Sonoran Desert Tortises, Sonoran Desert Gopher Snakes, Corn Snakes, Ball Pythons, Brazilian Rainbow Boas, B/W Arg. Tegu, Dumerill's Monitor, Leopord Geckos, Arizona Banded Geckos,Garter Snakes, Ribbon Snakes, Bearded Dragons Extensive personal experience. Research. Arizona Herpetological Association as well as the AHA Newsletter editor, AHA Reptile Removal/Relocation Hotline Volunteer(specializing in Rattlesnakes), AHA Educational Event Assistant
  • Lee S
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) do give birth to live young. I would not be so concerned about the parents as I would be additional brothers and sisters in the area. These snakes are venomous, but if left alone are not aggressive. It is a myth about baby snakes being more dangerous than adults, do not believe that, that is crap. Adults have larger venom glands and larger venom sacs and therefore can deliver much more venom. That being, said the babies do have venom and can definitely injure you so take care not to harass them. Enjoy their beauty from afar, and by all means DO NOT mess with them. The vast majority of bites occur to people who were harassing the snake. If you have a large number around your house, animal control or a herpetologist would be glad to assist you in relocating them, for free. If you have any issues in getting them removed send me a message or email and I would be glad to assist you. Take care.

    Source(s): Biologist/Herpetologist
  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/awf81

    YES! I was told when I lived in GA, the baby ones are more poisonous than an adult copperhead. Be Careful!!!

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Copperheads give birth to live young. As a rule, snakes don't stick around to "babysit" their young. However, babies can give a poisonous bite, so be careful. Here is a link you might want to check out:

    http://www.houstonherp.com/Copperhead.htm

  • 1 decade ago

    Are you sure about the color of the tail? Baby copperheads usually have a bright yellow tail. Just to be safe, I'd keep your dog away from it & you should not mess with it either. Let it go about it's way. They will usually avoid areas with too much actvity.

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    Maybe, but I am not 100% certain

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