Eastern copperhead

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/eastern-copperhead

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Agkistrodon contortrix
2. What is the lifespan?Estimated 6-8 years in the wild; longer in captivity
3. What does an Eastern Copperhead look like?They have a coppery coat with chestnut‑brown hourglass crossbands that help them blend into leaf litter. Their triangular heads have heat‑sensing pits.
4. How big do Eastern Copperheads grow?Adults are about 60 to 90 cm long, with females usually a bit larger than males.

Cryptic Coloration: Body coloring that helps an animal blend in with its surroundings for camouflage.
Thermoreception: The ability to sense heat, often used by snakes to detect prey.
Brumation: A state of dormancy in cold-blooded animals during winter, similar to hibernation.
Caudal Luring: The use of a brightly colored or moving tail tip to attract prey.