Two venomous snakes are native to our region: the timber rattlesnake and the northern copperhead. Neither is so common that you would see them in front of a diner when you go for that morning coffee, but they do inhabit favorable habitats in the wild. Rattlesnakes can be found if you know where to look, but copperheads are very rare; they are more easily found just to our south.

There are occasional sightings of copperheads in the area. They might be found on ridges with south-facing outcrops, or under wood or brush piles. When in a forest environment, they can blend in very well with the forest floor due to their brown-and-rust-colored markings. 

During encounters with humans, copperheads will try to retreat and stay clear if possible. However, unlike rattlesnakes, they cannot give a warning sound.

Copperheads, like rattlesnakes, are pit vipers. They use infrared detecting pits on each side of the head to detect heat given off by small mammals—their favorite prey. They have also been known to feed on amphibians and other reptiles, as well as cicadas and other insects.

Copperheads seem to be easily misidentified as they are not often encountered, and other non-venomous snake species can get mistaken for them.