NC man loses part of his finger after copperhead bite: officials warn as snake season peaks
NEW HANOVER, NC (WWAY) — Mitch Henry knows just how dangerous copperheads can be.
Last October, while moving a woodpile, he was bitten on the finger.
“I was moving some wood, and I reached down, and copperhead just bit onto it, and I pulled him out of the hole, and he was stuck on my hand, I had to shake him to get him off,” said Henry.
Fall is considered copperhead season, with babies typically born in September and early October.
Copperheads are the only venomous snake found in all 100 counties in North Carolina.
They are known for their distinct brown–or copper–color and pattern.
“They have a strong contrasted chestnut brown crossband shaped like an hourglass or a dumbbell. It’s very unique, it’s very prominent when you see it,” said Bradley Jordan.
The babies look similar, except for a bright yellow-tipped tail to lure prey within striking distance.
Copperheads usually reside in shaded, yet warm places like woodlands and thick brush.
NC Wildlife Enforcement Officer, Bradley Jordan, says the best way to coexist with copperheads is simple.
“Some things that we can do to prevent human interactions with copperheads, obviously is if you see one, leave it alone. Don’t touch it, don’t try to go after it and kill it. A lot of bites happen when people A) handle the snake on purpose or B) incidentally get anywhere close to the snake,” said Jordan.
Most copperhead bites can be treated with anti-venom or iv fluids, but for Henry, the outcome was more serious.
The bite killed the tip of his pointer finger, ultimately requiring part of it to be amputated.
Now, he’s much more careful when outdoors.
“I wear gloves, and then make a lot of noise, kick stuff, kick the brush and the wood around before you reach down and grab anything.”
To learn more about copperheads and their signs and traits, go to www.ncwildlife.gov.
