Copperheads in the park (PSA)

[10pointer]

Just a friendly reminder that while not extremely common there are Copperheads in the park... and late summer and early fall they seem to be more active.

Happened to run into this big girl back on Fri 9/9 at Blue Hole just after the bend below the Spring. Before anyone gets worked up I DID NOT kill it (someone just before me must have though). It was one of the largest Copperheads I have seen and was 38"+ long and had a heck of a big set of fangs to boot.  I called the park and let them know as I didnt want any kids messing with it or anyone else to flip out when they saw it and they advised they were going to send someone to pick it up.

Shortly after seeing that one there was another smaller Copperhead coiled up on the gravel road near between the two gravel lots below the spring. Not sure if they were a mating pair or what but it has been about 6 or 7 years since i saw my last Copperhead on the current fortunately.

And I made sure to use a long stick to check it out so no worries I wasn't at risk of being bitten.

It is ashame that people kill watersnakes in the park but there ARE Copperheads around so just be careful if you are walking barefooted or have kids running around.

Here are some pics!

[fshndoug]

that is a big copperhead!!

[jdmidwest]

No marks, must have died of natural causes.

[10pointer]

I was thinking the same thing. Figured there would have been some type of wound at least. It was extremely limp too like it hadnt been dead long. Maybe it died of old age!

[tho1mas]

That thing would have made a pretty hat band.

[likinmo]

Kill everyone you see.....I hate em! They say if you see one theres another one close by! Kill it too and then look for the rest of the family and kill them too! LOL!!

[Fish24/7]

did you take it's pulse? looks alive to me  jk

I crossed paths with a 30+" copperhead last month, biggest one I've ever seen face to face.