Where do copperhead snakes in MS go when it gets cold? Here’s what experts say
Copperhead snake bites surged in Mississippi over the summer, but you’re less likely to get bit — or even see a copperhead — during the colder months, wildlife experts said.
Copperhead bites made up about 29% of all venomous snake bites in Mississippi this year through Aug. 11 and saw a 55% increase compared to the same time period in 2024, data from the Mississippi Poison Control Center shows.
But where exactly do copperhead snakes go during the winter weather? Do they hibernate like some animals do? Here’s what to know about one of Mississippi’s most common venomous snakes.
What are copperhead snakes?
Copperheads are a venomous type of snake found in Mississippi. They are often recognized by their bronze-colored skin, vertical pupils and pattern that resembles hourglasses, according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
Similar to other venomous snakes, copperheads are about 2 to 3 feet long and have flat, triangular heads, experts said.
Do snakes hibernate?
Snakes, like other reptiles, don’t go into full hibernation. Rather, they enter a less intense period of dormancy called brumation, according to experts at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago.
As it gets colder, snakes will stop eating and look for a place underground to stay warm, experts said.
This period of dormancy lasts between November to April, but snakes will occasionally emerge if the weather warms, according to experts at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute.
Where do snakes go in the winter?
There are several places snakes go during brumation, including tunnel systems, crayfish burrows, rotting logs and mulch piles, experts at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum said.
One of the most common places snakes will go during the winter is in a hibernaculum, experts said. A hibernaculum is an underground area that houses hundreds of snakes, including multiple species, during the winter..
Can you see snakes in the winter?
Yes, because snakes occasionally pop out on warmer winter days, it’s possible to see them during the winter.
Snakes like to hide in forests, gardens, garages and neighborhoods, according to Singing River Health System, a healthcare organization on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
What to do if you’re bitten by a copperhead snake
Not all bites by copperhead snakes are cause for concern — some can happen without venom being transported, according to the Mississippi Poison Control Center.
Nevertheless, experts still recommend having all venomous snake bites evaluated by a health care professional.
Here’s what to do if you or someone you know is bit, according to the poison control center:
- Stay calm
- Go to the nearest emergency department or health care facility
- Call 911 if you have symptoms including “shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, or loss of consciousness”
- Put pressure on the affected extremity
- Don’t use ice or a tourniquet
- Don’t try to suck out the venom
