ID#: 10845
Caption:
From a closer perspective, this photograph revealed a detailed view of a juvenile venomous southern copperhead snake's, Agkistrodon contortrix, skin surface, found in a Decatur, Georgia basement. These scales, or scutes, act to protect the animal, help the snake maneuver through its environment by providing traction, and through their variegated patterning, help camouflage the reptile, thereby protecting it from the eyes of predators, while at the same time, allowing it to sneak up on its prey. The coloration includes a pale tannish brown, to a pinkish brown base color, which is overlaid by 10 to 18 darker brown crossbands, one of which is evident here. Also note the juvenile’s yellow distal tail coloration best seen in PHIL 10842, 10846, and 10847, which is a characteristic found in juveniles, but not in adults.
High Resolution: Click here for hi-resolution image (30.39 MB)
Content Provider(s): CDC/ James Gathany
Creation Date: 2008
Photo Credit: James Gathany
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Copyright Restrictions: Permission is not required for public domain images, however, these images are provided by CDC and are available for personal, professional, and educational use with appropriate attribution. Redistribution must credit CDC and, where known, the individual photographer, and identify the CDC website as the free source. For additional terms see Use of Agency Materials | Other | CDC