herper132's Identifications

Dangerous experience! Was looking for Nerodia, walked out to some “island” rock structures and climbed a 10ft tall slippery rock to try and get a vantage point, flipped a log and saw what looked like a muddy sipedon. Nearly grabbed it but I took the time to wear my glove and then realized it was a copperhead! Almost immediately it shot out of its hiding spot and I spent a good 10 minutes trying to keep it away from me as it continuously crawled at me. Somehow I managed to not get bit or slip down the rock and the copperhead swam back to shore! Was a really cooperative gravid female, prettiest one I’ve seen