Spring 2021 will welcome the appearance of Brood X, a massive group of 17-year-cicadas that will cover many parts of the United States. After spending 17 years underground sucking sap from tree roots, they emerge in staggering numbers and take to the treetops. This is when the sound of male cicadas seeking willing female partners fills the air, and predators such as birds, rodents, snakes, lizards, and even fish have an endless supply of food.
While most creatures that feed on cicadas are harmless, many state officials are cautioning people to beware of one in particular – the copperhead snake.
While normally a reclusive snake that prefers to camouflage in leaves and shrubs, the copperhead is known to change its behavior when cicadas are on the menu. Typically an ambush predator, the copperhead will lie in wait for long periods awaiting the next opportunity to dine on whatever happens to come across its path. With cicadas, copperheads are likely to be more active and will even climb up in trees to chase down their next meal.
According to sites like onlyinyourstate.com, If you do see a copperhead on your property, it’s best to gather up the family and pets and stay out of the area. Call a local wildlife removal company to take care of it. These snakes are extremely venomous and a bite can result in tissue damage. Although not aggressive, they will strike defensively and bites are typically the result of accidental encounters.
Check out the video below of a copperhead devouring a cicada up in a tree.