ID#: 10850
Caption:
This photograph depicted a juvenile, venomous, southern copperhead snake, Agkistrodon contortrix, found nestled in a Decatur, Georgia basement. The adult A. contortrix pit viper grows to a length 50cm to 95cm, and is pictured in PHIL 8130 and 10841. This particular view includes all body regions of this specimen, encompassing the yellow distal tail, which disappears when the snake reaches adulthood, as well as the triangular-shaped head. Also, you’ll note the scalar coloration, consisting of a beige base color, traversed by dark-brown cross bands along its entire length, except for its head and yellow juvenile tail. 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 this dorsal perspective.
High Resolution: Click here for hi-resolution image (30.39 MB)
Content Provider(s): CDC/ James Gathany
Creation Date: 2008
Photo Credit: James Gathany
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Copyright Restrictions: None - This image is in the public domain and thus free of any copyright restrictions.