Note that David Dennis, MD also sits on the Civilian Biodefense Committee at Johns Hopkins, as does Michael Ascher, MD PhD of the California DHS. This is the same committee that has published the recent series of articles in the Journal of the American Medical Association on organisms of relevance as biowarfare agents.
The copperhead injects its venom through ducts in its fangs. Its venom disrupts the red blood cells of its prey that in turn becomes completely subdued. Copperhead snakes have jaws that are flexible enough to swallow prey larger than twice its own diameter.pproximately 37 percent of all venomous snake bites are from copperheads. In some states, the percentage of venomous snake bites by the Agkistrodon is much higher. Over a 40-year period in North Carolina, 64 percent of all venomous bites were from the copperhead snake.
A difference between copperheads and the other species appears in the next phase, when they are approached. Most rattlesnakes vibrate their tails and most cottonmouths sit with mouth open when a human comes near. Even some non-venomous snakes vibrate their tails. These displays are merely warnings not to tread on them.any people are bitten while trying to kill or handle the snake. Don't take chances -- avoid these snakes. North Carolina has the dubious distinction of the most venomous snake bites of any state in the U.S. Many of these bites could be prevented by avoiding the snake instead of trying to kill it or pick it up.