Copperhead snakes bite more people in the U.S. than any other venomous species—over 2,900 times a year. Yet with a fatality rate of just 0.01%, they remain more fearsome in reputation than reality.
These stealthy pit vipers thrive across 25 states, blending into rocky slopes, forests, and even suburban yards, making them nearly impossible to spot until it’s too late. Here’s where you’re most likely to encounter these masters of camouflage.
1. Alabama
The heavily forested regions of Alabama provide an ideal habitat for copperheads. These snakes thrive in the state’s deciduous forests and mixed woodlands, often found near rock outcroppings and ledges.
They frequently share their winter dens with timber rattlesnakes and black rat snakes.
2. Arkansas
Arkansas’s diverse landscape offers copperheads plenty of suitable environments. These adaptable serpents inhabit both the state’s lowland swamps and highland regions.
During summer months, they’re particularly active in areas where cicadas emerge.
3. Connecticut
Connecticut’s copperhead population is primarily concentrated in the Central Connecticut Lowland ridges, particularly in Hartford, Middlesex, and New Haven Counties.
They favor hilly, low-lying areas and are commonly found along wooded basalt ridges and rocky hillsides.
4. Delaware
Delaware’s copperhead population thrives in the state’s varied terrain. These snakes adapt well to both fragmented and unfragmented habitats, showing remarkable resilience in areas where human development meets natural landscapes.
5. Georgia
Georgia’s copperheads inhabit diverse ecosystems throughout the state. They’re equally at home in the Appalachian foothills and the state’s coastal plain regions, demonstrating their remarkable adaptability to different environments.
6. Illinois
Illinois hosts copperheads primarily in its southern regions. These snakes show a preference for forested areas with rocky outcrops, particularly in areas where deciduous forests meet prairie landscapes.
7. Indiana
Indiana’s copperhead population is concentrated in the southern portion of the state. They favor wooded hillsides and rock-strewn areas, particularly in locations where permanent water sources are nearby.
8. Kansas
Kansas’s copperhead population is notable for their varied diet, including cicadas and caterpillars. These snakes have been observed climbing as high as 40 feet in trees during cicada emergences.
9. Kentucky
Kentucky’s diverse landscape provides excellent habitat for copperheads. These snakes are frequently found in the state’s numerous rocky outcrops and woodland areas, particularly in regions with abundant small mammal populations.
10. Louisiana
Louisiana’s copperheads adapt well to both pine forests and swampy regions. Unlike their northern counterparts, these snakes remain active for longer periods due to the state’s warmer climate.
11. Maryland
Maryland’s copperhead population thrives in various habitats across the state. They’re particularly common in areas with rocky terrain and abundant ground cover, often found near water sources.
12. Massachusetts
Massachusetts represents the northern extent of the copperhead’s range, with populations limited to Norfolk and Hampden counties. These snakes are listed as endangered in the state and prefer moist, damp habitats near traprock ledges.
13. Mississippi
Mississippi’s copperheads inhabit both deciduous and coniferous forests. They show remarkable adaptability to various environments, from upland forests to lowland areas near water sources.
14. Missouri
Missouri’s copperheads are found throughout much of the state. They demonstrate impressive adaptability to different habitats, from rocky glades to forested areas and even semi-urban environments.
15. New Jersey
New Jersey’s copperhead population persists despite significant urban development. These snakes have adapted to survive in the state’s remaining natural areas, particularly in rocky, wooded regions.
16. New York
New York’s copperhead population is primarily found in the southeastern portion of the state. These snakes have maintained their presence north of the Wisconsin glaciation terminal moraine on Long Island.
17. North Carolina
North Carolina’s copperheads thrive across various ecosystems. From the Appalachian Mountains to the Piedmont region, these snakes demonstrate remarkable adaptability to different elevations and habitats.
18. Ohio
Ohio’s copperheads are primarily found in the southern portions of the state. They show a strong preference for wooded hillsides and rocky outcrops, particularly in areas with abundant small prey.
19. Oklahoma
Oklahoma boasts the highest diversity of copperhead species in the United States. These snakes thrive in the state’s varied landscape, from eastern forests to rocky outcrops.
20. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s copperheads are widely distributed across the state’s central region. They demonstrate a particular affinity for rocky hillsides and forested areas with abundant ground cover.
21. South Carolina
South Carolina’s copperheads inhabit diverse ecosystems throughout the state. From the coastal plain to the Piedmont region, these snakes adapt well to various environmental conditions.
22. Tennessee
Tennessee’s copperhead population is robust across the state. These snakes show particular success in areas where the forest meets rocky terrain, often sharing habitat with other snake species.
23. Texas
Texas’s copperhead population is primarily concentrated in the eastern Plains region. These snakes show remarkable adaptability to various habitats, from riparian areas to semi-arid regions.
24. Virginia
Virginia’s copperheads are found throughout the state’s diverse landscapes. They demonstrate particular success in areas where deciduous forests meet rocky terrain.
25. West Virginia
West Virginia’s mountainous terrain provides excellent habitat for copperheads. These snakes thrive in the state’s numerous rocky outcrops and forested hillsides, particularly in areas with abundant small prey species.
While copperhead snakes inhabit 25 states across the eastern and central United States, their adaptability to various environments – from mountain ridges to suburban areas – showcases their resilience. Understanding their distribution patterns helps both conservation efforts and public safety awareness.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.