Posted by Carol Farley on August 17, 2006

Q: I found a snake in our yard. It looked like a baby copperhead. However I have a guide book and it did not match all of the charictarisics of a venoumous snake. It did not have vertical pupils it had round pupils. It had one row of scales underneath and that I read is what poisionus snakes have. It also would curl up and then flatten his head out. It's nose is slightly upturned. I will have a picture in a few days. Can you help me?

Habitat: forest/open woods

State: Missouri

Habitat: forest/open woods

A: If you send me pictures, I would be glad to identify it for you. Send them to smorse@rtpi.org.

Baby Copperheads are very distinctive in coloration, and for several years they have a bright yellow tail tip. The slightly upturned nose makes me think saw a harmless Eastern Hognose Snake. While many species will flatten the head when threatened, hognose snakes will often do an exaggerated version, flattening the head and neck like the hood of a cobra.

Here are a few sites with images:

www.herpnet.net

www.flmnh.ufl.edu

Keep in mind that Eastern Hognose Snakes are extremely variable in color.

Hope this helps. I'll look for the pictures.

Solon Morse ( August 17, 2006)