Peak Breeding Activity: Late August through October and February to
April. Sperm is stored until sometime after the female emerges from its over winter den.
Gestation: Is estimated to last 105-110
days Young are Born (Parturition): Most in August to mid-September
Litter Size: 3-10 young per litter
Young: Are on their own after hatching
from their membrane
Number of Litters
per Year: Generally 1 every other year.
Adult Length: 24-36 inches; the maximum authenticated length is 53 inches.
Life Expectancy: Between
1 and 7 years; only 5 % are known to live beyond 8 years. Oldest recorded was 30 years.
Migration Patterns: Year-round resident;
females have a home range of 8 acres and males 24 acres.
Feeding Periods: Depends on time of year. Copperheads are most active
April through late October and are diurnal in the spring and the fall, nocturnal in the summer.
Typical Foods: Mice, small birds, frogs,
small snakes, and insects.
Active
or Potential Nuisance Species: Copperheads are not aggressive and prefer to avoid all
contact with human beings. When in an area where copperheads occur, caution should be taken to avoid an encounter.