Mating copperhead snakes recorded on area bike trail
Jesse Rothacker of Lancaster County's Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary recorded a pair of mating copperhead snakes, found on an area bike trail. (Screenshot/Jesse Rothacker Facebook Live)
Love is in the air in Lancaster County. If you’re a venomous snake, that is.
Jesse Rothacker of the Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary recorded on Facebook Live Sunday a pair of mating copperhead snakes, found on a busy bike trail.
Here is the video in which Rothacker gets up close to show what he called the “venomous Valentines” as he directs hikers and bikers around them.
It was a potentially-dangerous situation for both hikers and the snakes, though. At a glance, Rothacker pointed out these snakes could easily be mistaken for a stick, putting passersby at risk of a venomous bite and the snakes in danger of being trampled upon or run over.
After recording the “copulating copperheads,” he moved the pair off the trail for safety – and for a little privacy.
Copperheads are found throughout Pennsylvania and are the only venomous snake breed found in Lancaster County, he said. They account for more venomous bites than any other snake in the U.S.
This breed of snake will generally leave people alone, as long as they are not bothered, he said. While most snakes mate in the spring, there is a second fall breeding season, so bikers and hikers should be cautious when they’re out on the trail, he said.
Rothacker did not share the exact location of the Lancaster County trail for protection of the reptiles, he noted.
Last month, the snake expert from Elm provided another video in which
0 Commentaires