It’s baby copperhead season now through the end of September. Copperheads are one of the most common types of venomous snakes in North America. You’re also more likely to be bitten by a copperhead than another venomous snake. Statistically, copperheads are more known for biting people than other venomous snakes. Baby copperheads can also pack a venomous punch so it’s important to treat them with the same caution you would treat adults. Copperheads give birth to live young and do not lay eggs like many other snake species. Here are some ways to help you identify baby copperheads so you can protect yourself, your family and pets.

Baby Copperhead Characteristics

Baby copperheads have some distinguishing characteristics that can help you identify them in relation to other types of snakes.

1. Baby and juvenile copperheads have a bright green or yellow tip on their tail. This tip fades over time as the snake matures from a juvenile to an adult.

2. Like adults, baby copperheads have the “Hershey kiss” or hourglass-like pattern on their bodies, depending whether you look at them from the side or from above. They also resemble adults in their coloration.

3. Baby copperheads have a wedge-shaped dark head at birth that quickly changes to a coppery or reddish color, as respective of their name.

4. Baby copperheads range in size from 8-10 inches. They’ll eventually grow to as long as 4 feet as an adult, with females being longer than males.

5. Baby copperheads are born with venom so even at birth, they’re dangerous. In fact, it takes baby copperheads a while to learn to control the amount of venom they use when they bite, which means a baby copperhead bite can be even more dangerous than an adult bite due to the additional amount of venom that might be used.

Baby copperhead season runs from mid-August through the end of September. It’s especially important to be careful in wooded areas, when clearing out wood piles or underbrush, when hiking in wooded areas and in places where copperheads can blend in easily such as the base of trees and in pine needles. Copperheads are masters of camouflage and can easily catch you off guard. If you have a problem with a copperhead of any age, adult or juvenile, call Pee Dee Wildlife Control and we can help relocate the snake(s) safely.