Watch For Brushy Areas, Sunny Rocks During Baby Copperhead Season

Baby copperhead season has begun, running from now through November.

TWRA Outreach and Communications Coordinator Mime Barnes said this is the time of the year when female copperheads give live birth to young copperheads as opposed to laying eggs. She said young copperheads typically have a bright yellow or green tail tip.

“Copperheads are primarily active at night during the warmer months of the year, ” Barnes said. “But this time of year they’re going to be basking and taking in the sun just as we would on a cool day. So if you’re hiking or walking or just in your yard, and you see snakes in your area, look for those brushy areas.”

Barnes said if you come across one you should give it room and a chance to leave. She said it’s illegal to kill a snake in the state of Tennessee unless it poses a direct threat.

Barnes said copperheads are one of two venomous snake types in the Upper Cumberland. She said that other non-venomous snakes also are brightly colored when young, and suggests going to the state’s website to familiarize yourself with snake identification.