Rattlesnake vs. Copperhead — What's the Difference?

A venomous snake known for its rattling tail.

A snake with a pattern resembling fallen leaves.

A pit viper with a distinctive rattle.

A viper that gives birth to live young.

A reptile with a segmented rattle.

A North American pit viper often near water.

An ambush predator with a striking defense.

A less aggressive snake that often freezes to avoid detection.

A symbol of danger and caution.

Any of a number of stout-bodied venomous snakes with coppery-pink or reddish-brown coloration.

Rattlesnakes are a group of venomous snakes of the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus of the subfamily Crotalinae (the pit vipers). The scientific name Crotalus is derived from the Greek κρόταλον, meaning "castanet".

A venomous snake (Agkistrodon contortrix) of the eastern and central United States and northern Mexico, having a tan body with reddish-brown crossbands.

A heavy-bodied American pit viper with a series of horny rings on the tail that produce a characteristic rattling sound when vibrated as a warning.

Copperhead A Northerner who sympathized with the South during the Civil War.

Any of various venomous pit vipers of the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus of the Americas, having at the end of the tail a series of loosely attached, horny segments that can be vibrated to produce a rattling or buzzing sound.

Any of certain of snakes having a copper-colored head in three families within suborder Serpentes.

Any of various venomous American snakes, of genera Crotalus and Sistrurus, having a rattle at the end of its tail.

Agkistrodon contortrix, a venomous pit viper species found in parts of North America.

Any one of several species of venomous American snakes belonging to the genera Crotalus and Caudisona, or Sistrurus; sometimes also called rattler. They have a series of horny interlocking joints at the end of the tail which make a sharp rattling sound when shaken. The common rattlesnake of the Northern United States (Crotalus horridus), and the diamondback rattlesnake (also called diamondback rattler, and diamondback) of the South and East (Crotalus adamanteus) and West (Crotalus atrox), are the best known. See Illust. of Fang.

Deinagkistrodon acutus, the Chinese copperhead, a venomous pit viper species found in Southeast Asia

Pit viper with horny segments at the end of the tail that rattle when shaken

Austrelaps spp. (pl=s), a genus of venomous elapids found in southern Australia and Tasmania.

Coelognathus radiatus (syn. Elaphe radiata), the copperhead rat snake, a non-venomous colubrid species found in southern Asia.

(pejorative) Someone with ginger hair.

A poisonous American serpent (Ancistrodon conotortrix), closely allied to the rattlesnake, but without rattles; - called also copper-belly, and red viper.

A nickname applied to a person in the Northern States who sympathized with the South during the Civil War.

Common coppery brown pit viper of upland eastern United States

Venomous but sluggish reddish-brown snake of Australia

A venomous snake with a copper-colored head.

It sounds like a buzzing or a series of quick, sharp shakes.

Copperhead bites are rarely fatal, but they do require medical attention.

Stay calm, slowly move away from the area, and do not provoke the snake.

Rattlesnakes generally have more potent venom than copperheads.

They can be aggressive when threatened but prefer to avoid confrontation.

They are often found in wooded, rocky areas, and sometimes suburban regions.

Look for the distinctive copper-red head and hourglass-shaped bands on the body.

It uses camouflage to ambush prey, striking when it comes close.

No, they give birth to live young.

They can live in deserts, prairies, forests, and rocky areas.

Yes, many species of rattlesnakes can swim.

It varies, but they can have many segments, getting longer with each shed.

They primarily eat rodents, small birds, lizards, and insects.

They can be active during the day, especially when basking.

Yes, they are preyed upon by kingsnakes, hawks, and occasionally other snakes.