North Carolina

Read these 7 stories about copperhead snakes in North Carolina

Stories by News & Observer journalists, with AI summarization

North Carolina's copperhead snakes are active much of the year, with experts advising residents to watch for their distinctive hourglass markings and yellow-tipped tails on juveniles. Bites often happen when people reach into dense ground cover or walk barefoot, so wearing boots and gloves is a smart precaution, especially in yards or on trails.

Snake repellents and home remedies like mothballs do not deter these snakes — instead, keeping yards tidy and avoiding piles of wood or brush reduces risk.

In the event of a bite, hospital visits can be costly and painful, but not all bites require antivenom, as shown in recent stories of bite victims with a range of medical treatments.

A Copperhead snake on the Walnut Creek Greenway in Raleigh.

NO. 1: HOW DO YOU TREAT A COPPERHEAD SNAKE BITE? DUKE AND WAKEMED DOCTORS WALK US THROUGH

Always seek medical treatment, but antivenom is not always necessary, doctors say. Here’s why. | Published May 8, 2023 | Read Full Story by Kimberly Cataudella

Copperhead snake that was spotted on the patio of a townhouse in Raleigh, NC after being collected by Talena Chavis, owner of NC Snake Catcher.

NO. 2: I CAME FACE-TO-FACE WITH A COPPERHEAD, SO I CALLED A SNAKE CATCHER. HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED

I’ve written more than a dozen stories about copperheads, but this was my first up-close-and-personal encounter. (Tip: cussing the snake out doesn’t help.) | Published September 25, 2023 | Read Full Story by Brooke Cain

This copperhead snake, estimated to be 2 to 3 years old, was discovered in a Raleigh garden on Thursday, June 13, 2019. It was captured by Southern Wildlife and Land Management in Raleigh and relocated to game land away from homes near Jordan Lake.

NO. 3: WHERE DO COPPERHEAD SNAKES GO WHEN THE WEATHER TURNS COOL IN NC? WE ASKED THE EXPERTS

Snakes are ectothermic, meaning they are influenced by the temperatures around them. | Published October 11, 2023 | Read Full Story by Kimberly Cataudella

Copperheads are a venomous snake found in Ohio. By Chuck Liddy

NO. 4: DO SNAKE REPELLENTS WORK? CAN A DEAD SNAKE BITE YOU? FACT-CHECKING 15 NC SNAKE BELIEFS

We fact checked 15 common beliefs about snakes, including several about copperhead behavior. | Published May 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska

Copperheads bites are the most common venomous snake bite in the Carolinas. By The Sun News

NO. 5: COPPERHEAD BITE STORIES: WE TALKED TO 3 RECENT BITE VICTIMS ABOUT THEIR NC EXPERIENCES

What’s it like to be bitten by a copperhead? We talked to doctors and bite victims. | Published June 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska

NO. 6: 9 STORIES TO HELP YOU (AND YOUR PETS) STAY SAFE DURING NC COPPERHEAD SEASON

Stories from past North Carolina copperhead seasons to help prepare for living alongside the slithery creatures. | Published September 23, 2024 | Read Full Story

An eastern coral snake is rare in Georgia, but are extremely venomous.

NO. 7: NORTH CAROLINA IS HOME TO 6 VENOMOUS SNAKES. HERE’S WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE

We may be more likely to see snakes this time of year, as the weather warms. Use this information to make encounters less scary. | Published March 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.