There is often a bit of truth to many of the myths about wildlife, like bears eating from back porches, plagues of copperheads tormenting folks living in certain areas, or swarms of poisonous caterpillars stinging unsuspecting passers-by on city streets.
The key here is to remember the word myth. Do copperheads swarm, like bees? The answer is “no,” according to Will Dillman, herpetology expert with the state Department of Natural Resources.
Females do, however, gather at certain “birthing rookeries” at certain times of year to give birth, according to the University of Georgia. Giving some credence to the legend of impossibly high numbers of snakes in a certain area, particularly after the females give birth.
“They (copperhead females) are capable of breeding every year, and give birth to live young between July and August. As few as 2 or as many as 17 young are produced, but the typical litter size is 6 to 9 young. The young are 8 to 10 inches long at birth and receive no parental care. Up to 60 percent of the females in a population may carry young in a year. …
“Female copperheads may gather in specific areas prior to giving birth. These areas are called ‘birthing rookeries.’ We do not know how many females gather together in this manner. ... Males usually outnumber females in both the general population and in the litter, but we don’t understand why this occurs,” according to the UGA website.
Copperheads are the most common venomous snake in the Upstate and the ones that most easily thrive in areas where they encounter people. They also have the least potent venom and are responsible for the most bites simply because of this close proximity, Dillman said.
They tend to hang around places where the pickings are good for food resources this time of year, Dillman said. Like the other pit vipers, they are ambush predators. Their camouflage is nearly perfect, so long as the snake does not move.
Tom Kriese, a friend who reports nearly stepping on a copperhead while trying to find his golf ball, has simply fallen for the camouflage.
This year one of the most common myths making the rounds along Highway 11 is about copperhead sightings around the Table Rock area.
This is a fairly common report, said Dillman. They are seen because they are moving now.
The best way to identify a snake is to take a picture and forward that photo to Dillman at email@example.com.
To decrease your chances of a close encounter of the reptilian kind, DNR offers this advice:
Remove wood piles, including firewood, from near the house; remove rock piles too; keep your grass cut short; and trim back lower limbs on shrubs so snakes can’t hide.
Never put your hands where you cannot see.