Watersnakes and Copperheads are extremely similar in coloration and often hang out in similar areas. For this reason, they’re very often confused with one another. However, it’s important to know the differences! 

The biggest difference between Watersnakes and Copperheads is that Copperheads are venomous, whereas Watersnakes or not. In appearance, the differences are apparent in the Copperhead’s arrow-shaped head versus the broad head of the Watersnake. 

Today, we’ll take an in-depth look at the differences between these two snakes. We’ll examine behaviors, physical appearances, environments, and more. Let’s get started.

Key Differences Between Watersnakes and Copperheads

Hundreds of harmless Watersnakes are killed yearly because they are mistaken for Copperheads. A lack of education in behavior and physical markings is primarily to blame. Hopefully, you’ll become one of the few who can tell the differences between these two snakes!

Here’s a table to quickly summarize the similarities and differences between these two snakes:

Snake Type	Watersnake	Copperhead
Physical Traits	Brown, gray, or reddish in color Dark crossbands Color that darkens with age Bulb-shaped pattern Narrow and slightly rounded head Round pupils 2.2 to 4.4 feet (0.67 – 1.34 m) long	Pale tan or pinkish tan in color Pale crossbands Hourglass-shaped pattern Triangular, arrow-shaped head Slit pupils 1.7 to 3.1 feet (0.51 – 0.94 m) long
Environment	Found next to streams, lakes, and ponds	Found in forests, woodlands, and low-lying swamps
Behavior	Cautious  May approach humans	May approach humans Sends warning when too close

As you can see from this table, there are quite a few differences between these two snakes. Now let’s look at each of these differences in a little more depth. 

Physical Traits

The primary difference between Copperheads and Watersnakes is their physical qualities. This also includes being venomous versus nonvenomous. 

Let’s look at each snake in-depth and discuss what makes these snakes completely different. 

Copperheads

Copperheads have long been feared because they do an excellent job at hiding, and their physical markings provide the perfect camouflage for attacking prey – including humans. However, usually, Copperheads will only attack a human when they feel threatened by them. 

Copperheads vary in base coloration from pink to black. This is a big variation, but they are often somewhere in the pale-tan spectrum. It’s important to remember, however, that they can look quite different depending on their age and habitat and whether or not they’ve recently shed. 

Both Watersnakes and Copperheads have bands that go across their bodies. This is one of the most common reasons that they are confused. However, the bands have different shapes. Copperhead’s bands typically have an hourglass shape.

Usually, there are between ten and eighteen total bands on a Copperhead. In addition, the outer edges of the bands tend to be darker. 

Typically, a Copperhead’s belly is the same color as the dirt they slither through. In part, this is camouflage.

The primary physical difference between Copperheads and Watersnakes is their head shape. Copperheads have a copper-colored head that is shaped like an arrow. The eyes are also in a slit shape, similar to cats. 

Watersnakes

Watersnakes are completely harmless, though they’re all too often confused with Copperheads. This is primarily due to their similar markings. 

Watersnakes are typically slightly darker in coloration than Copperheads. Usually, they range from gray to black, but as we discussed, sometimes Copperheads can also be darker. 

Like Copperheads, Watersnakes have bands that go around them. However, the bands on a Watersnake are usually bulb-shaped rather than hourglass. They are also darker in color than a Copperhead.

The head of a Watersnake is broad and round. Almost all venomous snakes have pointed heads similar to the Copperhead. Nonvenomous snakes, like the Watersnake, typically have rounded or flat heads with round pupils. 

Environment

Both the Watersnake and the Copperhead sometimes enjoy being near the water. This is especially true for the Watersnake, which spends most of its time in lakes, rivers, and streams. 

The Copperhead enjoys a wide range of terrains but often spends significant time in low swampy areas. In these low-lying areas, it is most often confused with a Watersnake. 

Copperheads may also hang out in rocky, mountainous areas or woodlands. They are usually found under a pile of leaves, blending in so well to their environment that you would have never known they were there had they not signaled to you. 

Watersnakes can be found in the woods if there is water nearby. In wooded areas, people get most confused about which snake is which. Perhaps because the lighting is worse there or because people don’t take the time to get close enough to know the differences, and understandably so. 

Both Copperheads and Watersnakes enjoy dips in the local water sources, which can make it enormously difficult to identify them. Once they are in the water, they are practically indistinguishable. 

Behavior

Both snakes are cautious towards people, but the Copperhead snake is less so than the Watersnake. Watersnakes will rarely approach people, but sometimes copperheads become curious. 

Part of the reason that Copperheads interact more with people is that they camouflage themselves. It’s more likely to come across this type of snake while walking. 

Both of these snakes enjoy taking time to sunbathe in hot areas such as concrete or pavement. You may see them slithering across the road in one area or another, regardless of whether or not it’s right next to a water source.

When threatened, typically, the Watersnake will turn and slither away. They often exhibit defensive behaviors, unlike Copperheads. If the Watersnake feels extremely threatened, it will bite, but the bite doesn’t contain venom. Watersnakes also do not have fangs, so their bite is similar to, say, a human bite with flat teeth all around. 

When a Copperhead is threatened, they will typically vibrate their tail or strike forward toward the person or animal they feel threatened by. Usually, they won’t bite immediately unless they are taking down prey. However, if you continue to provoke them, they will bite. 

Keep in mind that Copperheads are venomous. The venom is primarily hemotoxic, which affects the blood and blood vessels. 

Interacting With Copperheads and Watersnakes

The best thing to do is to steer clear of these snakes in the wild, as neither one is made to be a pet. However, if you encounter one in the wild you’ll want first to take careful note of the head’s coloration, bands, and shape. These are the most important identifiers for these snakes. 

You should also pay careful attention to the snake’s pupils if you are close enough to see them. Remember, Copperheads have slitted eyes, while Watersnakes have round pupils. 

Once you know which snake you’re interacting with, it’s important to take appropriate action. 

If you’ve come in contact with a Watersnake, you can simply back away, and they will likely back away too. More than likely, the snake will turn before you have a chance to back away. However, they have been known to have an occasional curious streak. 

If you’ve come in contact with a Copperhead, the best thing to do is to make slow, steady movements away from the snake. Pay careful attention if it begins to vibrate its tail, and try to distance yourself from the snake as much as possible. However, don’t turn and run because this will startle them and may cause the snake to strike early. 

Final Thoughts

Copperheads and Watersnakes are similar snakes in physical appearance, but their behaviors and interactions with humans are completely different. 

You can physically tell the difference between the two by looking at their head shape, pupils, and markings. Remember to always look for the arrow-shaped head on a Copperhead for an easy identifier of this type of snake. 

If you come in contact with either one, it’s important to make slow, deliberate moves away from the snake.