Well, all sorts of things can be wrong with a heat lamp.
The number one thing that comes to mind is, Copperheads don't live under heat lamps.

Unless the room you house the snake in is around 50 degree's, your ambient temperature should be fine for your copperhead, and any other snake you are housing. My bet is, since you stated you temps are btw 84-88 degrees, is just plain too hot! You will not find a copperhead in the daytime basking outside at 84-88 degrees all day, so why would you keep him like that during the day?

Seems to me, and I'm sure others will support me on this, you need to do your homework BEFORE acquiring your "first" venomous snake. I mean, c'mon, you didn't even know what a shed-cycle was.

My advice, turn off the heat source, give the snake a tight hide-box,large water bowl (for humidity), leave it alone, and after a week or so, offer it food again. If it doesn't eat, AFTER you have tried this, then my money is on it's in a shed-cycle,and shed cycles can last up to 2 weeks. And after it sheds, try feeding again.

Copperheads are very hardy and can stand a lot of abuse and lack of daily attention.
Good luck and keep us informed.

Randal Berry

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