Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have long been interesed in copperheads and am considering getting one. I have a extensive experiance with our native snakes (not many in S. Ontario) but absolutly none with venomous species. I am confident I can properly care for a copperhead and learn to handle if respectfully and properly. My main concern as you may well imagine is with the venom. I've done a lot of reading and learned that it is mild and that one bite has never been fatal in a healthy adult but I don't know what kind of tissue damage can be excpected. I understand it would be a painfull experiance but what would a bad bit do? Would i lose a finger, a hand, half an arm?

Also I haven't heard of any real difference in temperment between the subspecies but does any one type tend to be more docile then the others.

Thank You.
Cam Hanna

to be honest i am not 100%on the tissue damage inquired in a copper head bite but i do have some info regarding broad banded copperhead bite so here it is,( not my personal info or exp no thanks to the pain),i do forget where i got it from so sorry if someone gets pissed at me for sharing
Nature of the venom
The venom is said to be somewhat hemolytic and causes hemorrhage, pain, swelling, breathing difficulty, vomiting, gangreen, necrosis, headaches, and unconsciousness. Despite all of the horrible symptoms, the Broad-banded Copperhead's venom is rather sublethal. The antivenin used is classsified as antivenin #1. This antivenin polyvalent is for the neutralization of the North and South American crotlids: Crotalus/Sistrurus (rattlesnakes), Agkistrodon (Copperheads, cottonmouths, and moccasins), Bothrops (fer-delance), and Lachesis (bushmaster). A producer of this kind of antivenin is WYETH LABORATORIES INC.; Marietta, PA 17547.

good article on venomousreptiles.org regarding copperhead bite

http://www.venomousreptiles.org/articles/59