Photo by Jim Jung. All rights reserved.

Pit Vipers

While the full moon of August triggers the return migration to their dens, Pit Vipers of all kinds remain near the den's mouth while the weather is warm soaking up sun, renewing acquaintanceships, and checking out potential mates. With the first cool nights however they disappear into rocky hillsides and curl up with their fellows and sleep the winter away. These warmth-loving reptiles are the first to enter hibernation in our area and the last to leave.

The pit vipers in our area are rattlesnakes (see R), copperheads (see C), and cottonmouths (also known as water moccasins)

From our feature archive:

• A natural history of the Timber Rattler

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