[BoyScout]

Haztacmedic, I grew up on a state park/wildlife refuge and the only times I can remember seeing copperheads in that close proximity was during breeding season or they were birthing. But childhood epilepsy has screwed up my memory. IIRC copperheads give birth not lay eggs.

I can think of three instances were pigmy rattlers were mistaken for other species of snakes. One, the snake's corpse was taken with him and the doctor made the correct ID, the other two involved Park Rangers giving them a second look. The last was my dad who kept it so one of us boys could skin it for him. I do not know why and I have learned not to ask.



Edited to ad point: make sure you correctly ID the snake if you are either unlucky enough to get bitten or just that dumb. Every case I have heard of growing up belonged in the latter but I know the former happens as well.