The document summarizes a copperhead snake population survey conducted in Brazoria County, Texas in June 2006 by Marc Ealy of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Phil Huxford of the Texas Master Naturalists. Over four days, the team captured and measured 25 copperhead snakes on a quarter acre plot, notching identification numbers into their scales before releasing them. They recorded data on length, capture date, and notes. The survey found copperheads to be most active in temperatures over 80 degrees from May to September, with adults reaching up to 27 inches long, in line with other studies of copperhead range and behavior.

1. Copperhead Snake
Population Survey
June 2006
Brazoria County, Texas
Photos by Marty Cornell 1

2. Copperhead Snake Population Survey
PARTICIPANTS
Marc Ealy
Area Manager
Nannie M. Stringfellow WMA
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Phil Huxford
Member, Texas Master Naturalists
Cradle of Texas Chapter
Member, Friends of Brazoria
Wildlife Refuges 2

3. Southern Copperhead
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4. Collection Area
County Road 946, Brazoria, Texas
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5. Collection Area
County Road 946, Brazoria, Texas
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6. Catch from consecutive days, June 2006
6/25 6/26 6/27
6/23 6/24 6

7. Tools for specimen examination
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8. Examining for evidence of past capture
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9. Designating Copperhead ID #198
Cloaca Scale 1 Scale 8 Scale 9
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10. Notching ID number in scales
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11. Coaxing immobilization
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12. Gotcha!
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13. Measuring length
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14. Recording Data
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15. Typical Data
Snake ID number
Capture date
Length – Head to Cloaca (inches)
Length – Head to Tail
Notes (e.g. RC = Recapture)
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16. 25 Copperhead Snakes at Release
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17. Reference
Texas Snakes:
A Field Guide
(Texas Natural History Guides)
James R. Dixon (Author)
John E. Werler (Author)
Regina Levoy (Illustrator)
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18. Range
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19. Comparison
Study Dixon-Werler Ealy-Huxford
Geographic
Area Entire Range About 1/4 acre
Daily search Two hours/
window All night evening
Length of
study Several years Four years
Observed March- May-
activity November September
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20. Observations
• Length – adult – up to 27”
• Length shortly after birth – average 11”
• Don’t travel more than 0.5 mile
• Think they’re invisible
• Move slowly
• Strike quickly
• Climb palmettos
• Rarely climb trees (fall off)
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21. Conclusions
• Both studies (Dixon-Werler and Ealy-
Huxford) produced comparable results.
• Copperheads are most active at
temperatures 80o and above.
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