Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Eastern Cooperhead

This poor eastern copperhead was brought in yesterday after the homeowner found the snake stuck in some mesh garden netting.

Knowing that without proper care this situation could become dire for the snake, this person trimmed around a large portion of the mesh to be able to safely transport them to us for safe and careful removal.

Despite being through this entire ordeal, this snake was calm and relatively amenable to being handled with a snake hook and tube for our staff’s safety.

Thankfully, the mesh was easily trimmed away and while there was some swelling where the mesh had been twisted tightly around the body of the snake, there were no lacerations or injuries.

After a short monitoring period to make sure there were no other issues or concerns, this gorgeous snake was released back home where they were found!

We’re so thankful for these caring finders to not only care enough to get this snake help, but allow this snake to be returned back home where they belong.

ALL snakes are deserving of respect, dignity, and care, including venomous ones.

These snakes want nothing more to do with us than most of us want to do with them, and they fill an incredibly important role in the ecosystem. Just because you are afraid or don’t understand an animal, does not give you the right to harm them, and oftentimes more people are bitten when attempting to do so.

If you find a snake you believe is in need, give us or your nearest wildlife rehabilitator a call for information on how best to address your unique situation to keep both the snake AND you safe!

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