Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have in my possession (only for a few days) a wild caught broad banded copperhead from the field that was brought to me to avoid being killed. anyway, the snake is acting very strange. he lays in his box in a normal fashion except that he twists the last three inches or so of his body and lays the top of his head down on his hide box. thus the under side of his head is face up but the rest of his body lays up right. very strange looking. i cant tell if he is sick, stressed, or just silly. any thoughts? i just got the snake, just noticed the behavior, and am prepared to released it.

Sounds like it was injured during the process of being "saved". How did they pick it up to get it to you? Maybe they were a bit rough and it has some spinal damage?
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

i was told the snake was just scooped up and placed in a bucket. he kind of twists his nech around if you attempt to move him about. he also seems a bit bloated in the mid section. what would happen if he accidently bit himself? are they immune to their own poison? thx.

I agree with Chris' ascertainment, sounds like an injury may have been sustained during rescue. I would let it go in a place that has some shaded area cover and hope to do no more harm, unless you have the time and inclination to care for an injured hot.
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Todd Hughes