BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – There are a variety of snake species that one may find in Southcentral Kentucky, but the most common venomous specimen is the copperhead.
Known for their unique color and hourglass back patterns, copperheads become more active during the fall months as they give birth to their young.
“They’re going to be reddish to copper color, obviously, and they’ll have an unpatterned head that is sort of large and triangular. And then of course, the pit, since they’re a pit viper, they have this structure between their eye and their nostril that is a sensory pit for detecting heat that’s emanated from their mammal prey,” said WKU biology professor, Jarrett Johnson.
Copperheads are fond of forested and rocky terrains, making the Mammoth Cave region an especially common location for finding the species, but they can also be found in cities like Bowling Green, where their territories cross into the boundaries of the city.
The fall shift in temperature also contributes heavily to their increased sightings.
“When it’s really hot in the summer they’re more active at night and so people don’t see them as much unless they’re crossing a road and they might stop to warm up on hot pavement or something like that, but you see them more in the spring and in the fall because they’re mostly active during the day,” Johnson said.
Even if a person doesn’t immediately spot them, it doesn’t mean they aren’t there. The copperhead’s classic reddish brown color patterns can blend in seamlessly with Kentucky terrain, making them especially hard to see.
“It’s very well camouflaged, and that is intentional,” Johnson said. “They are sort of a sit-and-wait predator, so they want to make sure that they blend in really well with the background, and of course, when leaves turn brown in fall, that’s when copperhead is most cryptic. Most encounters that people have might be where they are trying to clean up some brush or some leaves.”
Experts said if someone does get bitten by a copperhead, they should stay calm and seek medical attention.
Though copperheads have a milder venom compared to other venomous snakes in the region, like the timber rattlesnake or cottonmouth, it could still cause a variety of medical complications, including an allergic reaction.
Those who spot a venomous snake on their property are encouraged to contact their local animal control or find a local wildlife control operator through the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website, who can safely remove the animal.
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