Can a cottonmouth, rattlesnake, or copperhead climb trees? My hubby says yes, and I say no?

Question

Unless a tree is horizontally inclined to begin with, I don't think these snakes can climb vertically. In the deep south, where I live now, it is commonly said that they can but I thought tree snakes had to have scales capable of "gripping"... anybody out there know the facts? THANKS!

Answer 1

yes--all have the ability to climb--the cottonmouth-is a arboreal snake--- the rattler is not but can still climb--nor is the copperhead but all can climb it is a process of mussel control not necessarily scales

Answer 2

Ok, disagree with some of the answers I have read. First off when it comes to water Moccasin's they like other semi aquatic snakes can be found allot of times in the lower branches of limbs near the edge of the water. How do you think they sometimes end up in boats as people are cruising down the river. Have found several copperheads in the bark of trees.

Answer 3

First of all, spooty and most of the rest of the answerers are complete retards.  The three pit vipers you just mentioned are not arboreal at all. I have seen timber rattlesnakes a few feet off the ground in the knot of a tree or low branch. But they prefer the ground and are poor climbers. some snakes can climb vertical structures. You would be amazed on what a ratsnake can get into.  But rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths are 'sit and wait' predators and don't have any real reason to climb a tree.

Answer 4

considering they are know to feed on birds yes they can climb trees and quite well.

Answer 5

They can, but not very well and rarely, despite what some people are saying. I have heard of rattlers occasionally doing it, and copperheads will climb bushes and small trees to get one of their favorite foods, cicadas. But all of these are heavy bodied snakes and are not as good of climbers as more slender snakes such as rat snakes, corn snakes, and rough green snakes. Smaller ones are better at climbing than larger adults. And unlike what the last guy said, cottonmouths are definitely not arboreal. They are more aquatic than anything.

But if you're worried about venomous snakes in trees, you don't need to since they rarely do it. Rat snakes are the snake most commonly found in trees, especially in spring when they climb trees to get to bird nests. They'll eat the eggs, the babies, and the mama. I had one fall out of a tree a couple feet in front of me this past spring when I was out looking for snakes to photograph. It was a four to five foot Texas rat snake and it must've got spooked when it saw me coming along and lost its balance. Well, the snake wasn't the only one that got spooked!

Answer 6

I live in Florida and they can definately climb trees, sheds,poles,car tires etcetra

Answer 7

Simple answer:  YES.

I have personally seen snakes in trees, hanging from trees, and actually climbing trees.  My inlaws saw one climbing a wall at camp.   I don't know the physics of how they manage to do this....but they can.

Answer 8

I have never thought they could, but one year when I was out looking for snakes and scorpions, I peeled a piece of bark back and found a very young canebrake rattlesnake in the tree. I have no idea how it got up that far, it was eye level with me... I would say it is not in their nature, but they can and will if need be.

** Pit vipers are not climbers. The are terrestrial snakes. Seeing one in a tree or something is a rare thing. There are alot of other snakes that do climb, especially in Florida.

Answer 9

Alot of snakes can...specialy in rain forrests

theres a species of bat that lives in a vine that grow up to 6ft+ in height

some snakes will often climb up to try and get them..

other snakes generaly dont climb up trees unless inclined to begin with like you said

but you can often see snakes hanging off a tree branch that isnt inclined...so it obviously got up there by climbing its way up