Lowland Copperhead

Austrelaps superbus

QUIET RUNAWAYS

Copperheads can be easily mistaken for tiger snakes or ‘red-bellied black’ snakes- especially in cooler areas where the sometimes orange brown body varies to dull black, and when a glimpse of reddish copper along the sides is seen. They have a smaller head than tiger snakes, and their lips are usually edged with white. Copperheads are quiet, retiring snakes, which rarely stand their ground.

ACTIVE HUNTERS

Lowland copperheads are found in Tasmania and in southeastern mainland Australia, below altitudes of 1000m. Reaching lengths of 1.3 meters these large snakes prefer to live in swampy, marshy areas, frequenting the low vegetation near streams, dams and lagoons. Active and alert hunters they generally feed on frogs, lizards and smaller snakes - including other copperheads! Copperheads are mainly mobile during the day, but on warm summer evenings they may take advantage of these conditions, continuing to hunt after dark.

SHY BUT VENOMOUS

Although their venom is potentially fatal, copperheads are less aggressive than tiger snakes and are very shy of humans. When frightened they will flatten themselves out to appear larger  and more threatening, making awkward sham attack movements, and emitting a slow rather  soft hissing noise, usually moving off at the same time. They must be severely provoked before they will strike. Their fangs are relatively short, so when walking in swampy areas, wearing thick socks, strong shoes or gumboots can give you some protection. If bitten, (apply pressure bandage and) seek medical attention immediately.  Overall copperhead numbers appear to be stable, however in some areas, habitat destruction, the drainage of swamps and marshes and declining frog populations severely threaten local  copperhead populations.