It's the subtle differences that help us differentiate between the three. If you look carefully at both moccasins and copperheads, you can see that their heads are those of venomous pit vipers, triangular shaped with heat-sensing "pits". Key visual differences are that water moccasins have black-and-brown markings that wrap around to it's belly, and the body is thicker and has larger scales. In contrast, copperheads have smaller bodies, banding that doesn't extend to their bellies and have finer scales. Water moccasins are found primarily in the warmer, more placid waters of the eastern side of the state.
The main visual difference between the copperhead and the northern water snake is the head. A copperhead is a venomous pit viper (triangular head) and the water snake is not (non-triangular head). Both have copper-y coloring and banding are similar, at least through the juvenile stages, but a another visual difference is that a copperhead's banding is wider on the sides and more narrow along the backbone, while a northern water snake's banding is wider on the spine and narrower on the sides. Either can be startling and a little worrisome when stumbled upon along the banks of a lake or river, though.
In closing , I'd like to add a couple of words of advocacy on behalf of copperheads. I know folks who think "a good copperhead is a dead copperhead", but like many other snakes copperheads are truly beneficial in their hunt for rodents. Without them, it would open season on farmer's crops (and your backyard garden).
So, a good challenge for the beginning of summer. Congratulations to Emily, and we'll be in touch to get your laminated folding Wildlife of NC guide to you!
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| Water moccasin diagram showing triangular head, heat-sensing pits and large scales. |
