Do copperheads kill many people each year? Esp small children?I grew up in NW Florida and copperhead range extended south all the way to the Gulf Coast. Once, when looking for squirrel and turkey sign, I noted how the hardwood and scrub oak leaves looked like the 'colors' a copperhead would like.
Damn if about 3 minumtes later I didn't find one literally between my boots! I jumped sideways about 8 feet (my coach woulda been impressed
). My .22 literally blew its head off, and a couple days later some raccoon tracks showed why the fresh meat disappeared.
Another time when attending college in Atlanta and working for a van lines, I picked up a can of charcoal fluid on a front porch. The house was in a Atlanta suburb. There was this really brightly colored 'worm' underneath the can, with a diamond pattern on its back. When I poked it with a stick, man it came alive! Of course it crushed easily under my shoe. :wink:
I spent 7 years of my life in NW Florida and one year in Georgia. Saw coral snakes and moccasins in FL, and even a scarlet king (looks similar to a coral). Still have NEVER EVER come across a buzz-tail "buzzing" at me, which don't bother me none. :wink:
How bad are copperhead bites? The first one I killed was VERY PRETTY! Shoulda skinned it.
