The nice weather brings out the fun of hiking in the woods, going to the park and swimming or canoeing in the rivers and lakes.
But it also brings out snakes. The various species of snakes that live in Tennessee don’t just stay in the woods, either. They can live right in your backyard. So it is good and safe to know how to identify the dangerous ones.
Fortunately, by far most snakes found in Tennessee are not venomous.
There are only four known species of venomous snake in Tennessee, and they all belong to the pit viper family.
Here they are, and how to recognize them:
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Copperheads
Tennessee is home to two subspecies of copperheads, the northern and southern. The northern is the most common species inhabiting most of the state. The southern is found primarily in the southwestern corner of the state. Copperheads generally reach between 24-36 inches. They have a base color of tan, peach or pink and have hourglass shaped saddles across the back. These chestnut colored saddles are widest on the sides and narrowest in middle of the back. The head often has a very coppery appearance giving these snakes their common name. They prey primarily upon mice but will also eat small, birds, lizards, small snakes and amphibians. Copperheads are often found in old abandoned debris piles, rocky wooded slopes and abandoned pastures and fields where there is lots of cover. Generally shy and lethargic, they prefer retreat to encounters, but when disturbed they will often vibrate the tail, making a rattling noise when in old leaves. Copperheads are our least venomous snakes and deaths from them are extremely rare though they account for the most bites in Tennessee.
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