Its diet consists mostly of small prey items that it can easily overpower with its powerful jaws and sharp teeth. Affiliations: Copperhead Snake Facts | Agkistrodon contortrix - AZ Animals This is called hybridization. Cottonmouth babies don't have brightly colored tail tips. Unknown Can Copperheads breed with black snakes? - Heimduo Want to discover the 10 most beautiful snakes in the world, a "snake island" where you're never more than 3 feet from danger, or a "monster" snake 5X larger than an anaconda? However, dont try to get too close to the snake to see this feature, as you might put yourself in danger and ultimately provoke a strike from the snake. What is the difference between copperheads and cottonmouths? Thank you for reading! There are five subspecies of copperhead distributed according to geographic range: the northern, northwestern, southern and two southwestern subspecies. And had some sort of reaction to the enzymes in their mild toxic saliva. However, don't try to get too close to the snake to see this feature, as you might put yourself in danger and ultimately provoke a strike from the snake. Can you spot the copperhead snake perfectly hidden in plain sight? 'Building blocks of life' recovered from asteroid Ryugu are older than the solar system itself, Ancient Roman 'spike defenses' made famous by Julius Caesar found in Germany, Otherworldly 'fairy lantern' plant, presumed extinct, emerges from forest floor in Japan, Watch footage of 1,000 baleen whales in record-breaking feeding frenzy in Antarctica, New Moai statue that 'deified ancestors' found on Easter Island, Lab-grown minibrains will be used as 'biological hardware' to create new biocomputers, scientists propose, The ultimate action-packed science and technology magazine bursting with exciting information about the universe, Subscribe today and save an extra 5% with checkout code 'LOVE5', Engaging articles, amazing illustrations & exclusive interviews, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Every year, I receive a plethora of phone calls and emails asking me 1) to identify whether a snake is a copperhead and 2) what should I do with it. The Black Snake Copperhead is unique in that it combines characteristics from both its parent species. A copperhead bite typically occurs when its least expected, after several attempts to discourage you, the predator from coming close. Finally, well go over how you can tell if a snake you saw is a hybrid. I being a snake enthusiasts. Hybrids abound in the natural world, though not all of them can produce offspring. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please take care and be civil when explaining why various snakes "cannot" interbreed.