The Copperhead also has the facial pit located between the eye and nostril, common to Pennsylvania's venomous snakes. This heat-sensitive organ is missing from the nonvenomous species in Pennsylvania. The scales on the Copperhead are only weakly keeled. The Copperhead does not have a rattle at the end of its tail.

Do copperheads make a rattle sound?

Generally shy and lethargic, they typically prefer to retreat rather than risk an encounter, but, when disturbed they will often vibrate their tail, making a rattling noise when in the dead leaves. An agitated copperhead will typically do the rapid tail vibration prior to striking.

How do you tell if a snake is a copperhead?

Copperheads have muscular, thick bodies and keeled (ridged) scales. Their heads are "somewhat triangular/arrow-shaped and distinct from the neck," with a "somewhat distinct ridge separating [the] top of head from side snout between eye and nostril," said Beane.