Though you’re not likely to ever see the copperhead vs tiger snake in the wild, it’s still useful to be able to tell the two apart. Both copperheads and tiger snakes are venomous, but the two species live on opposite sides of the planet. Each snake starts life preying on tiny creatures like mice and crickets. But, as they grow, they can hunt and kill successively bigger prey.
Here, we’ll look at the exact differences between these two snakes. We’ll start by comparing their size and appearance. Then, we’ll learn about where in the world these reptiles occur and what types of habitats they favor. After that, we’ll go over the behavior of the copperhead vs tiger snake. Finally, we’ll explore the lifespans of each species.
Read on to learn more about what makes copperheads and tiger snakes different!
Comparing Copperhead vs Tiger Snake

Copperhead | Tiger Snake | |
---|---|---|
Size | 24-40 inches long | 36-80 inches long |
Appearance | Copper-colored head with hourglass patterning on the body | Narrow head, body that flattens, yellow and black stripes |
Location and Habitat | North America; forested areas, swamps, rocky hillsides | Australia; wooded areas, grasslands, near water or marshes |
Behavior | Nonaggressive nature, rattles tail when threatened | Diurnal, good swimmers, aggressive nature |
Lifespan | 15-29 years | 10-15 years |
Key Differences Between Copperhead vs Tiger Snake

Copperheads are pit vipers, while tiger snakes are members of the Elapidae family of snakes.
©Creeping Things/Shutterstock.com
The key difference between copperheads and tiger snakes is that copperheads grow to just over three feet long, but tiger snakes can reach over six feet in length. Additionally, tiger snakes are excellent swimmers and often hunt underwater. Copperheads, on the other hand, spend almost no time in the water. A further difference between the two species lies in their behavior: tiger snakes flatten their bodies while copperheads vibrate their tails.
Let’s take a closer look at the exact differences between the copperhead vs tiger snake.
Copperhead vs Tiger Snake: Size

Tiger snakes can grow up to six feet long..
©Ken Griffiths/Shutterstock.com
Tiger snakes are not small snakes. They don’t grow to the immense lengths of Burmese pythons, king cobras, or green anaconda, but they’re certainly not to be messed with. Most tiger snakes grow to between 3-4 feet. But, the largest specimens reach lengths of more than six feet. The average size is heavily influenced by what part of Australia the tiger snake comes from.
Copperheads, though deadly, aren’t very big snakes. The largest copperheads reach around 3.5 feet long, though most barely grow to three feet. These snakes have medium-weight bodies similar to rattlesnakes.
Copperhead vs Tiger Snake: Location and Habitat

The copperhead is one of many venomous snakes in North America.
©Breck P. Kent/Shutterstock.com
Copperheads are native to the eastern half of the United States. They don’t occur in the Florida panhandle, or in the Great Lakes region. But, they can be found as far north as southern Canada, and as far south as northern Mexico. They’re habitat generalists and may be found in swampy areas, wooded hillsides, rocky outcroppings, or fields. Because they prey heavily on rodents, copperheads strongly prefer areas with rodent populations, like agricultural fields and outbuildings like sheds and barns.
Tiger snakes occur only in Australia and the neighboring islands of Tasmania and Bass Strait, as well as other small islands. They’re common in southeastern and southwestern Australia. Tiger snakes also occur in disparate populations in north and central Australia. They’re usually found near swamps or marshes, where they frequently hunt underwater.
Copperhead vs Tiger Snake: Appearance
Tiger snakes are, unsurprisingly, striped. But, depending on what region of Australia you’re in, they may be so dark that the stripes are barely noticeable. The most characteristic specimens have clearly divided black and yellow stripes. Unlike copperheads, tiger snakes have relatively narrow heads and round pupils.
The copperhead is one of the most distinct snakes in North America. As their name suggests, they have wide, triangular, copper-colored heads with large fangs and vertically elliptical pupils. Their bodies are brown to tan, with regularly spaced hourglass-shaped markings over the back.
Copperhead vs Tiger Snake: Behavior

For both copperheads and tiger snakes, the best course of action is to leave them alone.
©Wildvet/Shutterstock.com
Both copperheads and tiger snakes possess deadly venom. If you encounter either type of snake, do not attempt to handle or approach them. If you sustain a bite, seek immediate medical attention. When cornered, each species has a unique means of self-defense.
Copperheads coil into a ball and rapidly vibrate the tips of their tails to simulate the rattling sound of a rattlesnake tail. When they’re encountered in dry leaves, they can make a sound remarkably close to that of their more dangerous cousins. Tiger snakes aren’t without their tricks, either. These snakes are known to aggressively defend themselves and won’t hesitate to bite. They’ll also flatten out the front half of their body, like a cobra, to appear larger and more threatening.
Copperhead vs Tiger Snake: Lifespan

Tiger snakes have a shorter lifespan than copperheads.
©Michal Pesata/Shutterstock.com
Copperheads are common snakes throughout much of the Midwestern and Eastern United States. They typically live anywhere from 15-29 years in the wild. Tiger snakes occur in southern Australia and Tasmania, where they generally live between 10-15 years in the wild.
Discover the "Monster" Snake 5X Bigger than an Anaconda
Every day A-Z Animals sends out some of the most incredible facts in the world from our free newsletter. Want to discover the 10 most beautiful snakes in the world, a "snake island" where you're never more than 3 feet from danger, or a "monster" snake 5X larger than an anaconda? Then sign up right now and you'll start receiving our daily newsletter absolutely free.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the AZ Animals editorial team
Thank you for your feedback!
We appreciate your help in improving our content.
Our editorial team will review your suggestions and make any necessary updates.
There was an error submitting your feedback. Please try again.