Where do copperheads go when it’s cold in NC? We asked an expert
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Copperheads brumate in winter, seeking insulated sites like stump holes and hollows.
- Brumation slows metabolism and mobility; snakes resume activity during warm spells.
- Avoid probing leaf litter, crawlspaces or hollow logs; call 911 for venomous bites.
North Carolina is sure to see chilly temperatures in the coming weeks as we inch closer to winter.
We’ll bundle up in coats and cozy under to blankets to keep warm. But have you ever wondered where snakes go when it gets cold?
We’re particularly curious about copperhead snakes, the “most common and widespread” venomous snake in the Tar Heel State, according to the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.
North Carolina is home to six venomous snake species, but copperheads are the only one you’re likely to spot in the Raleigh and Charlotte metro areas, The Raleigh News & Observer previously reported, citing wildlife experts.
Other toxic snakes include:
- Cottonmouth
- Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake
- Timber rattlesnake
- Pygmy rattlesnake
- Eastern Coral snake (often found on the NC coast)
Here’s what to know about copperheads and other local snake species as we head into winter.
Do snakes hibernate?
The short of it is “no.” Instead, reptiles brumate.
Similar to hibernation, this dormant period for snakes and other reptiles is characterized by lethargy and a waning appetite during the colder months, according to Nationwide Pet Insurance. Their respiratory rates also slow down, along with digestion.
The sweet spot for brumation is usually between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Snakes and reptiles are very dependent on temperature ... so the colder it is, the slower they go,” Falyn Owens, an extension biologist with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission told The Charlotte Observer.
“If the temperature dips below a certain threshold, they basically get really sluggish,” Owens said. “And if it’s really cold, they just kind of almost stop altogether.”
Brumation isn’t as deep a state as hibernation, however, and snakes can easily come out of it once temperatures rebound.
Where do copperheads go when it gets cold?
When it gets chilly, snakes will shelter in insulated environments to shield themselves from the elements.
“Species like a copperhead might find a tree stump hole where the tree has rotted out,” Owens said. “They might crawl into that to get away from the wind, and the snow and just really extreme temperatures.”
Other common hiding places include:
- Under leaf litter or logs
- In holes and hollows
- In crawl spaces
Owens noted that snakes typically don’t dig their own burrow and instead occupy spaces dug by other critters.
What do copperheads look like?
These snakes are large and thick-bodied with keeled, copper-colored scales, according to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
They have an unmarked head and chestnut brown crossbands resembling an hourglass along their bodies. Wider portions of the shape are visible on either side while narrower portions cross over the copperhead’s back and tailbone, experts say.
Younger copperheads can be gray in color with a yellow-tipped tail, though this usually fades over time, according to the Smithsonian.
Are snake sightings common in the winter?
“It’s not likely if the temperatures are very cold,” Owens told The Observer.
A streak of warmer days, even in December or January, are enough to bring copperheads back out, however.
“They’re probably still going to be sluggish ... but they might be out and about,” Owens said. “Other than that, the only time you’re probably going to come across a snake (in cold weather) is if you’re digging around in the type of shelter that they would be wintering in.”
What to do if you’re bitten by a copperhead (or other venomous snake)
If you’re bitten by a venomous snake, experts suggest you:
- Call 911, or NC Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
- Sit down and remain calm.
- Wash the wound with warm, soapy water.
- Remove any jewelry or tight-fitting clothing.
- Keep the affected area still and, if possible, raise it to heart level.
This story was originally published December 1, 2025 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Where do copperheads go when it’s cold in NC? We asked an expert."