Eastern Copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix (Linnaeus, 1766)S3 (Watch list)    Synonyms: Copperhead.
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Chordata   >   Class Reptilia   >   Order Squamata   >   Family Crotalidae   >   Genus Agkistrodon   

Status:

Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) is a widespread venomous pit viper, found widely through Maryland, but more commonly into western Maryland. Most Maryland Copperheads are assigned to Northern Copperhead A. c. mokasen, while apparent intergrades with Southern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen x A. contortrix contortrix) are known from portions of the Eastern Shore (Maryland DNR site). This species generally favors forested landscapes, including open woodlands, brushy fields, rocky outcroppings, and wetland edges. Its cryptic coloration blends into dead leaf litter amazingly well, and the species can often be easily overlooked even at close range. The diet ranges from insects, reptiles, birds, and small mammals (Tennant, 2003).

This species is venomous, and while bites are rarely fatal to adults with prompt medical attention, they are highly painful. It should not be handled or provoked.

There are 384 records in the project database.

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Eastern Copperhead in Calvert Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Josh Emm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Josh Emm. (MBP list)

An Eastern Copperhead in Charles Co., Maryland (7/16/2017). Photo by Justin Lee. (MBP list)

An Eastern Copperhead with young in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (8/25/2011). Photo by Mike Lathroum. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Frederick Co., Maryland (7/19/2022). (c) Emilio Concari, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Emilio Concari. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Calvert Co., Maryland (7/22/2021). (c) rosalie-rick, all rights reserved. Photo by rosalie-rick via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperheads mating in Worcester Co., Maryland (10/2/2013). Photo by Annette Allor. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Montgomery Co., Maryland (9/10/2022). (c) robinzs, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by robinzs via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

An Eastern Copperhead in Calvert Co., Maryland (10/17/2016). Photo by Justin Lee. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (7/26/2022). (c) rainbowreaper, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by rainbowreaper via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

An Eastern Copperhead in Howard Co., Maryland (6/26/2013). Photo by Mike Lathroum. (MBP list)

An Eastern Copperhead in Calvert Co., Maryland (5/31/2009). Photo by Bill Vanko. (MBP list)

An Eastern Copperhead in Harford Co., Maryland (7/18/2018). Photo by Mark Johnson. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperheads mating in Worcester Co., Maryland (10/2/2013). Photo by Annette Allor. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in St. Mary's Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Justin Lee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Justin Lee via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

An Eastern Copperhead in Charles Co., Maryland (7/16/2017). Photo by Justin Lee. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Carroll Co., Maryland (4/28/2018). No rights reserved. Photo by Maura via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Garrett Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Kyle Klotz, all rights reserved. Photo by Kyle Klotz. (MBP list)

An Eastern Copperhead in Washington Co., Maryland (8/26/2018). Photo by Josh Emm. (MBP list)

An Eastern Copperhead in Carroll Co., Maryland (5/14/2017). Photo by Wendy Crowe. (MBP list)

An Eastern Copperhead in Harford Co., Maryland (7/18/2018). Photo by Mark Johnson. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Baltimore Co., Maryland (6/29/2017). (c) Brenda Bull, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Brenda Bull via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Allegany Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Kyle Klotz, all rights reserved. Photo by Kyle Klotz. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Calvert Co., Maryland (5/4/2023). (c) Jason E. Avery, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jason Avery. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Montgomery Co., Maryland (7/5/2009). (c) Stephen John Davies, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Stephen John Davies via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

An Eastern Copperhead in Worcester Co., Maryland (6/24/2016). Photo by Dave Wilson. (MBP list)

An Eastern Copperhead in Howard Co., Maryland (5/25/2019). Photo by Odacir Pinto. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Washington Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Josh Emm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Josh Emm. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Frederick Co., Maryland (5/31/2015). (c) apistopanchax, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Josh Emm. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Calvert Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Josh Emm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Josh Emm. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (7/2/2023). (c) secede0, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by secede0 via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

An Eastern Copperhead in Frederick Co., Maryland (10/18/2018). Photo by Bob Cammarata. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Baltimore Co., Maryland (11/5/2020). (c) apistopanchax, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Josh Emm. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Prince George's Co., Maryland (9/15/2019). (c) Cynthia Rudzis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by cynroux via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

An Eastern Copperhead in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/20/2018). Photo by Dave Roberts. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Calvert Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Josh Emm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Josh Emm. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/1/2020). (c) Scot Magnotta, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Scot Magnotta via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

A young Eastern Copperhead in Garrett Co., Maryland (10/6/2018). Photo by Jay Sheppard. (MBP list)

An Eastern Copperhead in Allegany Co., Maryland (6/19/2018). Photo by Kimberly Booth. (MBP list)

A juvenile Eastern Copperhead photographed in Harford Co., Maryland. Photo by Scott McDaniel. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Washington Co., Maryland (8/5/2020). (c) elah2212, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by elah2212 via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead with mole prey in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/13/2021). (c) Ernesto Fernandez Polcuch, some rights reserved (CC BY). Photo by Ernesto Fernandez Polcuch via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

An Eastern Copperhead found in Allegany Co., Maryland (6/3/2006). Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Montgomery Co., Maryland (9/11/2020). (c) pfamagee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by pfamagee via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Calvert Co., Maryland (10/20/2020). (c) jasoneavery, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Jason Avery. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperheads mating in Worcester Co., Maryland (10/2/2013). Photo by Annette Allor. (MBP list)

Eastern Copperhead in Frederick Co., Maryland (7/17/2020). (c) james-scanio, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by james-scanio via iNaturalist. (MBP list)


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