Details - Public Health Image Library(PHIL)

ID#:

10844

Caption:

This 2008 photograph depicts a juvenile, venomous, southern copperhead snake, Agkistrodon contortrix, coiled in a Decatur, Georgia basement. An adult A. contortrix pit viper grows to a length 50cm to 95cm, and is pictured in PHIL 8130, and 10841. The name pit viper is derived from the fact that these snakes possess two heat-sensing organs situated inside a pit on either side of its head, between each ipsilateral eye and nostril, both of which are visible on the right side of this snake’s head from an anterolateral perspective in PHIL 10843, 10848, and 10849. Note the yellow coloration of the distal tip of its tail, which is a characteristic found in juveniles, but not in adults, which is more visible in PHIL 10842, 10846, 10847. Also of note is the forked tongue, which is thought to give such reptiles a “stereo” sense of smells within its environment. With its tongue, the snake is really tasting the air surrounding its head.

High Resolution:

Click here for hi-resolution image (25.15 MB)

Content Provider(s):

CDC/ James Gathany

Creation Date:

2008

Photo Credit:

James Gathany

Links:

Categories:

CDC Organization