Birth Of Endangered MA Snake Captured By State Herpetologist

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Out of the dozens of species considered endangered in Massachusetts — from the blue whale to the short-eared owl — the venomous copperhead snake is certainly not cuddliest. But that doesn't mean its struggle to survive here is any less notable.

Last week, the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife released a video captured in 2017 by state herpetologist Mike Jones of a copperhead birth — an incredibly rare event for a human to witness. Although the video is several years old, copperheads typically give birth in late summer and early fall, and the video may help residents recognize the reptile in the wild — although such an encounter is very unlikely.

"Females gather under rocks, in crevices, or other areas that are hard to access so observing the birth of a copperhead is something very few people have the opportunity to see," Jones said in a news release last week.

The copperhead and the timber rattlesnake are the only two endangered snakes on the state's list. Jones filmed the birth somewhere in the Connecticut River Valley, but the state could not give an exact location due to potential harm from humans. The snakes can also be found in the Boston area.

Unlike other snakes, copperheads don't lay eggs. According to DFW, copperheads give birth to baby snakes up to 9 inches long, and they enter the world fully ready to hunt with venom and fangs.

Although quite interesting, Jones' copperhead birth video is not for the faint of heart: