Beware Of Copperheads Out Snacking On Cicadas This Spring In North Carolina

A short time ago, we told you about the upcoming emergence of the Brood X Cicada set to take place this spring in parts of North Carolina. Expect the volume to roar to an all-time high when the event occurs, as this brood is the largest in mass of all of the 15 broods that appear periodically and in 17-year increments. Well, as if the annoyance of the noise weren’t enough, it seems there is more than one reason for this year’s emergence to turn your head: copperheads!

It turns out, copperheads love to snack on these crispy little creatures.

Flickr/Henryr10

And soon, Brood X will be covering the landscape in many parts of the Tar Heel State, as they make their way to the surface for the first time in 17 years in efforts to breed — and then go back deep underground again for another 17 years.

Wikipedia/Greg Hume

But thanks to the copperheads in North Carolina, many of them won’t ever make it back underground.

Wikipedia/public domain

Copperheads are carnivores by nature. They eat mice, small birds, lizards, amphibians, other smaller snakes… and they absolutely love cicadas.

Wikipedia/Pmjacoby

A copperhead is typically an ambush predator and will lie in wait for long periods awaiting the next opportunity to dine.

Wikipedia/Quarti

The cicadas this year won’t last long in a copperhead’s territory.

Flickr/Tracy Lee

Be on the lookout for copperheads anywhere you find cicadas this spring. You never know when one may be disguised by the landscape and you certainly won’t want to step on one.

Wikipedia/Tim Ross

Did you know copperheads like to snack on cicadas? Ever see one on your property? Let us know in the comments!