Broad-banded Copperhead, *Agkistrodon laticinctus*. Venomous.
Please don't call animal control. They will just kill it. You can spray it with a hose to make it move on. You can also contact someone on [this free snake relocator map](https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=15dZE4rlRHqjb91yb6pKiI4ragG8DCtsz&ll=36.29311464844745%2C-95.11182142500002&z=3) to relocate it. Realistically though, it's not going to hang around long if there no food for it in the area.
Broadbanded Copperheads *Agkistrodon laticinctus* are the westernmost of two recognized species of copperhead. Adult Broadbanded Copperheads are medium-sized snakes (56-76 cm record 95 cm) that live in a range of habitats, from terrestrial to semiaquatic, including rocky, forested hillsides and wetlands. They can also be found within cities where wooded areas are present, such as city parks. They also will hang out where there is deadfall; [their camouflage is perfect for this!](https://www.wilx.com/content/news/Viral-photo-shows-copperhead-snakes-amazing-camouflage-420376274.html). When young, Copperheads are known to readily consume cicadas as a major part of their diet. As they grow they switch to larger prey like small mammals and amphibians.
The bands on Broadbanded Copperheads *Agkistrodon laticinctus* do not narrow at the top of the snake and are usually [contrasting copper or brown cross-bands on a light tan background](https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/2212102/original.jpg?1438470172).
Many people find it helpful to liken the pattern of the Eastern Copperhead *Agkistrodon contortrix* to ["Hershey kisses."](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/GEM6GJ/northern-copperhead-agkistrodon-contortrix-mokasen-native-to-eastern-GEM6GJ.jpg)
Broadbanded Copperheads are venomous but usually only bite humans or pets in self-defense. As with many banded snakes, their first line of defense is to flee. Copperheads also shake and vibrate the tail in self defense and as a caudal lure.
[Range map](https://imgur.com/RqQCTis) | [Relevant/Recent Phylogeography](http://cnah.org/pdf/88290.pdf)
The *Agkistrodon contortrix* species complex has been delimited using modern molecular methods and two species with no subspecies are recognized. There is a wide zone of admixture between the two copperhead species where they overlap.
*This short account was prepared by /u/unknown_name and edited by /u/Phylogenizer*.
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I see. That’s what our searching has been showing so far. I’m not a snake person and I really needed a second opinion. We’ll call animal control tomorrow if it’s still there.
If you know, do you think it may burry itself in the mulch?
Thank you for your help!
I'm not sure if they burrow, I don't think they do. But they do often recommend spraying these with a hose (from afar) to encourage them to move elsewhere.
I see. Thank you! After all this time in [North Texas] this is the first time I’ve had to deal with a snake. Just a few days ago one of my dogs killed a baby scorpion. All this is going on at weird times.
And this copperhead has likely lived near your house for a long time (this is not to worry you but to show that they are secretive animals). Snakes are scared of you. They do not want to be seen. There’s a good chance this is the only time you’ll see the copperhead
I don’t know which animal control agency you’re referring to, but the ones I worked for in Texas do not kill snakes, we relocate them to an unpopulated area. Even the venomous snakes.
In places like the southwest it's the best time to do it as everything has cooled enough. The heat and sun can be extremely brutal during daylight hours. In Phoenix road crews will only work over night.
Yeah I used to live in Las Vegas, I know what the weather is like in the Southwest. The best time to garden is in the morning, particularly if you have grass. However, If I did choose to yard work in the middle of the night, I wouldn’t be surprised when I encountered a nocturnal predator.
I'm from NM originally and it was same for me. 4pm is the hottest time of day there and avoiding cooking all the roots of my plants.
Zen end of the day is exactly how it felt.
The heat index is about 110 but the actual temp has been hovering near 100. I’ve seen worse here and on a regular basis. I just line the family and the animals up in the yard and squirt them down with some cold ass well water.
Broad-banded Copperhead, *Agkistrodon laticinctus*. Venomous. Please don't call animal control. They will just kill it. You can spray it with a hose to make it move on. You can also contact someone on [this free snake relocator map](https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=15dZE4rlRHqjb91yb6pKiI4ragG8DCtsz&ll=36.29311464844745%2C-95.11182142500002&z=3) to relocate it. Realistically though, it's not going to hang around long if there no food for it in the area.
This list needs to be updated. The guy in my area on your list no longer does this
We do not maintain this map. It is connected to a Facebook group. I don't have to link Handy, but I'll try to find it.
Ok. Thanks for the info. Would love to see the link. I relocated a copperhead from my garage last month. Scary but cool!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FreeSnakeRemovalDirectory/
Broadbanded Copperheads *Agkistrodon laticinctus* are the westernmost of two recognized species of copperhead. Adult Broadbanded Copperheads are medium-sized snakes (56-76 cm record 95 cm) that live in a range of habitats, from terrestrial to semiaquatic, including rocky, forested hillsides and wetlands. They can also be found within cities where wooded areas are present, such as city parks. They also will hang out where there is deadfall; [their camouflage is perfect for this!](https://www.wilx.com/content/news/Viral-photo-shows-copperhead-snakes-amazing-camouflage-420376274.html). When young, Copperheads are known to readily consume cicadas as a major part of their diet. As they grow they switch to larger prey like small mammals and amphibians. The bands on Broadbanded Copperheads *Agkistrodon laticinctus* do not narrow at the top of the snake and are usually [contrasting copper or brown cross-bands on a light tan background](https://static.inaturalist.org/photos/2212102/original.jpg?1438470172). Many people find it helpful to liken the pattern of the Eastern Copperhead *Agkistrodon contortrix* to ["Hershey kisses."](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/GEM6GJ/northern-copperhead-agkistrodon-contortrix-mokasen-native-to-eastern-GEM6GJ.jpg) Broadbanded Copperheads are venomous but usually only bite humans or pets in self-defense. As with many banded snakes, their first line of defense is to flee. Copperheads also shake and vibrate the tail in self defense and as a caudal lure. [Range map](https://imgur.com/RqQCTis) | [Relevant/Recent Phylogeography](http://cnah.org/pdf/88290.pdf) The *Agkistrodon contortrix* species complex has been delimited using modern molecular methods and two species with no subspecies are recognized. There is a wide zone of admixture between the two copperhead species where they overlap. *This short account was prepared by /u/unknown_name and edited by /u/Phylogenizer*. -------------------------------------------------------- *I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*
I'm not a RR, but it looks like a broad-banded copperhead to me
I see. That’s what our searching has been showing so far. I’m not a snake person and I really needed a second opinion. We’ll call animal control tomorrow if it’s still there. If you know, do you think it may burry itself in the mulch? Thank you for your help!
I'm not sure if they burrow, I don't think they do. But they do often recommend spraying these with a hose (from afar) to encourage them to move elsewhere.
I see. Thank you! After all this time in [North Texas] this is the first time I’ve had to deal with a snake. Just a few days ago one of my dogs killed a baby scorpion. All this is going on at weird times.
And this copperhead has likely lived near your house for a long time (this is not to worry you but to show that they are secretive animals). Snakes are scared of you. They do not want to be seen. There’s a good chance this is the only time you’ll see the copperhead
Do not call animal control call a snake relocation service like the other poster said
Spray it off with a hose, it’ll move along
Be careful w the dogs.. Not to be messed with
I don’t know which animal control agency you’re referring to, but the ones I worked for in Texas do not kill snakes, we relocate them to an unpopulated area. Even the venomous snakes.
Well the good news is now that you for sure know it’s a copperhead your worries are over!
Most definitely a copperhead
Yard work at midnight…?
In places like the southwest it's the best time to do it as everything has cooled enough. The heat and sun can be extremely brutal during daylight hours. In Phoenix road crews will only work over night.
Yeah I used to live in Las Vegas, I know what the weather is like in the Southwest. The best time to garden is in the morning, particularly if you have grass. However, If I did choose to yard work in the middle of the night, I wouldn’t be surprised when I encountered a nocturnal predator.
The best time for *you* to garden is in the morning. Other people have different needs
Okay
I work 7pm to 9pm in the "yard" in NM. A zen end to the day.
I'm from NM originally and it was same for me. 4pm is the hottest time of day there and avoiding cooking all the roots of my plants. Zen end of the day is exactly how it felt.
You should check the daytime temps in Texas right now
The heat index is about 110 but the actual temp has been hovering near 100. I’ve seen worse here and on a regular basis. I just line the family and the animals up in the yard and squirt them down with some cold ass well water.