A copperhead is a venomous snake found in the eastern United States, named for its distinctive copper-colored head. These snakes grow about two to three feet long and have hourglass-shaped bands across their brown bodies. Unlike rattlesnakes, copperheads don't rattle before striking, which can make them more dangerous to hikers who might accidentally step near one.

Copperheads prefer to hide and avoid conflict rather than attack. They often freeze when threatened, relying on their camouflage among fallen leaves. Their venom is relatively weak compared to some other pit vipers, and while their bite is painful and requires medical attention, it's rarely fatal to humans. Most bites happen when people accidentally disturb them while working in gardens or walking through leaf-covered trails.

During the Civil War, the word took on a political meaning. Northerners who opposed the war and sympathized with the South were called Copperheads by their critics, comparing them to the snake, which can be hard to notice and dangerous if provoked.