Ontogenetic variation in the diet of the southern copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix, in northeastern Texas

The stomach contents of a series of 96 specimens of Agkistrodon contortrix from two adjoining counties in northeastern Texas were examined. Arthropods comprized the majority of prey items (53%) but lizards, snakes and a few rodents were also consumed by southern copperheads. Neonate and small copperheads (less than 35 cm SVL) were found to contain more squamata, whereas midsize (35 to 45 cm SVL) and adult snakes (greater than 45 cm SVL) were found to contain primarily cicadas and lepidopteran larva. Only adult specimens were found to contain rodents as prey items. The small gape of neonate and young copperheads appears to restrict them from consuming cicadas and rodents. Large copperheads did continue to consume the small snakes and lizards that constituted the primary prey of small copperheads.